Top 5 matches at the ATP World Tour Finals

The Nitto ATP World Tour Finals is all set to begin in a couple of days at the O2 Arena in London. The World Tour Finals, a tournament which takes place at the end of the tennis season, is a battle for supremacy amongst the top 8 players in the world.

There have been two withdrawals from the tournament this year in the form of Juan Martin Del Potro and Rafael Nadal, both of whom withdrew due to injuries. In their place, Japan's Kei Nishikori and USA's John Isner will take part in the prestigious tournament.

The draw took place a couple of days ago and the 8 players were divided into two groups - the Guga Kuerten Group and the Lleyton Hewitt Group.

Over the years, The Tour finals have seen some mouth-watering matches take place. The quality of the matches between the top 8 players of the world is unmatched.

In this article, we take a look at the top 5 matches of the ATP World Tour Finals over the years.

#5 Roger Federer vs Stan Wawrinka, 2014

In an all-Swiss encounter at the semifinal stage of the tournament back in 2014, Roger Federer saved 4 match points and edged his compatriot in a thrilling encounter at the O2.

Wawrinka started off the match on the front foot, taking the first set quite comfortably. The second set was a tighter affair, with Federer coming out on top in the end. Wawrinka had 3 match points while serving at 5-4 in the third, but poor net play cost him those points.

He had a match point in the tie-break as well, but was denied by a good serve by Federer. In the end, Federer converted his first match-point to qualify for the final. Unfortunately, he had to pull out of the final against Novak Djokovic due to an injury.

Result: Federer d. Wawrinka 4-6 7-5 7-6

#4 Roger Federer vs David Nalbandian - 2005

ATP Masters Cup, Shanghai

David Nalbandian produced one of the best ever comebacks to defeat Roger Federer in the final in 2005.

Nalbandian had lost to Federer in the round-robin stage and was looking to avenge his defeat.

The final was a 5 set encounter and Federer won the first two sets. However, Nalbandian fought back to win the third and the fourth, during which Federer had called for the trainer as well.

Federer was serving for the match in the fifth but was broken despite being 30-0 up. Nalbandian then went on to win the tie-break and his first ever Tour Finals.

Result: Nalbandian d. Federer 6-7, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6.

#3 Andy Murray vs Milos Raonic - 2016

Murray celebrates his victory

Andy Murray, who was bidding for the World No 1 crown, had an extremely stern fight against Milos Raonic in the semifinal in 2016.

Clocking in at 3 hours and 38 minutes, the two players played the longest ever match in Finals history.

The Scot lost the first set 5-7 but clawed his way back to win the second and third sets in the tie-break. He went on to defeat Djokovic in the final to win his first ever Tour Finals and get crowned the World No 1 as well.

Result: Murray d. Raonic 5-7, 7-6, 7-6

#2 Boris Becker vs Ivan Lendl - 1988

Becker and Lendl

In one of the longest 5-set matches of the Tour Finals, Boris Becker edged Ivan Lendl to lift the trophy at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Becker lost the first set and was down a break in the second but fought back to force a tie-break, which he won. He was down a break in the final set as well, however, Lendl could not hold his nerve as Becker forced a few errors and took it to another tie-break, which he won.

Result: Becker d. Lendl 5-7, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(5)

#1 Boris Becker vs Pete Sampras - 1996

Pete Sampras is congratulated by Boris Becker

The two players had one of the best rivalries in the sport and they produced one of the best ever matches the final of the tournament in 1996.

With the tournament taking place in Hannover in Germany, majority of the crowd was supporting Becker, which made it even more difficult for Sampras.

However, he came out on top in the end, in a thrilling encounter, which saw three tie-breaks. Sampras had two match points in the fourth set but was unable to convert them as Becker himself, after wasting four set points, won the set. However, the American held his nerve in the decider to win the Championship.

Result: Sampras d. Becker 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-4