Novak Djokovic draws Alexander Zverev in ATP Finals group stages

Roger Federer is targeting a 100th career title and first season-ending victory since 2011

Image: Novak Djokovic is aiming for his sixth ATP Finals title

World No 1 Novak Djokovic will meet Alexander Zverev in the group stages of the ATP Finals, while Roger Federer has drawn Kevin Anderson.

The season-ending tournament - in its 10th year at London's O2 Arena - features an elite eight-player field and will start on November 11, with extensive live coverage on Sky Sports through to the final on November 18.

Djokovic, who returned to the summit of men's tennis on Monday after a two-year absence, will also play against 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic and John Isner, who benefited from Rafael Nadal's late withdrawal through injury, in Group Guga Kuerten.

Image: Djokovic last won the season finale in 2015 - his fourth in a row

Nadal pulls out of ATP Finals

Federer, chasing his 100th career title, will face French Open finalist Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori as well as two-time Grand Slam finalist Anderson, who came back from two sets to love down to beat the 20-time Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon, in Group Lleyton Hewitt.

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ATP Finals Groups

Guga Kuerten Group Lleyton Hewitt Group
Novak Djokovic (1) Roger Federer (2)
Alexander Zverev (3) Kevin Anderson (4)
Marin Cilic (5) Dominic Thiem (6)
John Isner (8) Kei Nishikori (7)

Each player competes in three round-robin matches, playing for two qualifying spots through the semi-finals.

Federer suffered a surprise semi-final defeat against David Goffin last year and last won the event in 2011 while Djokovic missed last year's edition through injury, after deciding to skip the second half of 2017.

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Image: Federer is targeting his first win at London's O2 since 2011

There are two debutants in the field in Anderson and Isner, who both possess big-serving and powerful games.

Nadal, who was due to vie with Djokovic for the year-end world No 1 ranking, misses out on an opportunity to earn his maiden title at the season finale.

ORDER OF PLAY - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11

CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon
[4] J. Murray (GBR) / B. Soares (BRA) vs [6] R. Klaasen (RSA) / M. Venus (NZL)
Not Before 2:00 pm
[4] K. Anderson (RSA) vs [6] D. Thiem (AUT)

Not Before 6:00 pm
[2] J. Cabal (COL) / R. Farah (COL) vs [7] N. Mektic (CRO) / A. Peya (AUT)
Not Before 8:00 pm
[2] R. Federer (SUI) vs [7] K. Nishikori (JPN)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12

CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon
[1] O. Marach (AUT) / M. Pavic (CRO) vs [8] P. Herbert (FRA) / N. Mahut (FRA)
Not Before 2:00 pm
[3] A. Zverev (GER) vs [5] M. Cilic (CRO)

Not Before 6:00 pm
[3] L. Kubot (POL) / M. Melo (BRA) vs [5] M. Bryan (USA) / J. Sock (USA)
Not Before 8:00 pm
[1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs [8] J. Isner (USA)

Live Tennis: ATP World Tour Finals

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