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I'm spending a few days in Greenwich courtesy of my brother and his GF while attending the ATP Tour Finals at the O2.
Yesterday, I travelled down to London by coach where I met up with a former colleague for a burger and chat. Then I hopped onto the Tube to meet up with my hosts, who fortunately live just a mile away from the arena.
Therefore, this morning I walked back to the arena, where I popped into Cafe Rouge for a brunch to sustain me through the first session. To be honest, I was a little disappointed as the poached eggs were far too vinegary and the whole meal seemed a little below par.
Once through security I was courtside in time to see the great Roger Federer warming up. Then it was time for the first match, which was a doubles involving Henri Kontinen (FIN) and John Peers (AUS) against Raven Klaasen (SA) and Rajeev Ram (USA). The latter pair were aternates as the french partnership of Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Nicolas Mahut had to pull out as Herbet had injured himself in the warm-up. This was a particular shame as the winner would have gone through to the semi-finals. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining match which the number 2 seeds Kontinen and Peers won 2-6, 6-1, 10-8.
Next on court were Roger Federer (SUI) against Marin Cilic (CRO). With Federer already through to the semis, and Cilic knowing he couldn't qualify, there was not a lot at stake, but this didn't stop the players from producing a great match as Federer triumphed 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1. It's always a pleasure to watch the great master on court.
There now being a break before the evening session commenced, I popped out of the O2 to Tesco to grab a meal deal.
Back in the arena, the first match saw Ryan Harrison (USA) and Michael Venus (NZ) take on Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) and Horia Tecau (ROM). Harrison and Venus continued their 100% record in this round robin stage as they won 6-3, 7-6(5).
The final match of the evening saw Alexander Zverev (GER) take on Jack Sock (USA) in a winner goes through encounter. This was a yo-yo match as Sock took the first set 6-4 but then went walkabout as Zverev drew level 6-1. It looked to be curtains for Sock as he was immediately broken at the start of the third set, but then he pulled it around and triumphed 6-4.
So at just a few minutes past ten, a great day of tennis was over. I must admit to a slight feeling of smugness as I left the arena for the short walk back to the flat while thousands of others queued for the tube - been there and done that many times in the past!
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