TENNIS: Tour finals the 'fifth slam'

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat

CHRIS Kermode is convinced the rivalry of the world's top tennis players will ensure a thrilling end to the season at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The managing director of the tournament, which takes place at the 02, believes the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Britain's Andy Murray will be desperate to end the year on a high.

Djokovic and US Open champion Murray suffered surprise early exits in the Paris Masters this week, while Federer's decision to not take part means Djokovic is guaranteed to end the year as the world number one.

And Kermode senses all will be keen to get one over on each other as a competitive 2012 draws to a close.

"I think the players now easily consider this the fifth Grand Slam, unquestionably," said Kermode.

"I think the demand for tickets now has demonstrated that; the players feed off that buzz and excitement from packed arenas so I think it is a huge thing.

"The competition between especially those top three Federer, Djokovic, and Murray - they do not like to lose to each other.

"With Andy in front of his home crowd it is going to be electric."

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Sportsbeat 2012 (c)