Novak Djokovic has begun his defence of his ATP World Tour Finals title with a emphatic win over Marin Cilic.
Going into tonight's match, Djokovic had won 27 indoor matches in a row, and despite losing the opening game, he was never in danger of failing to make it 28 victories.
The world number one dismantled Cilic's usually formidable serve, breaking seven times on the way to a 6-1 6-1 success in 57 minutes.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at the O2 Arena in London.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the ATP World Tour Finals encounter between Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic.
We've had to wait a day-and-a-half for his first appearance at this year's tournament, but it's finally time for Novak Djokovic to start the defence of his trophy at the ATP World Tour Finals. The world number one has won this event on the last two occasions, but more than ever, the hunger is there to win for a third time as he looks to retain his standing at the top of the game.
Djokovic follows Marin Cilic onto court to a rapturous and appreciative reception. He's going to be the crowd favourite tonight. But there is going to be a man on the other side of the net who is keen to make his mark on his debut at the O2 Arena while also ending a run that has seen his lose every one of his 10 matches to the world number one.
The tall Croatian has won the toss and elected to serve first. It's going to be important for him to start this match on the front foot or else Djokovic could romp to victory.
If you didn't catch the match earlier this afternoon, you missed a special, special performance from Stanislas Wawrinka. The Australian Open champion has done nothing in the second part of the year but he returned to form in emphatic fashion, demolishing Tomas Berdych 6-1 6-1 in 58 minutes. Djokovic and Cilic certainly have something to follow tonight.
Right then, the pre-match preparations have been completed and we are ready to go. Can Cilic stamp his authority on the match early on? We are about to find out.
Cilic does indeed start positively with a smash from the middle of the court getting him to 30-0 and he's helped out when Djokovic goes wide with a forehand. A love hold is completed when the world number one goes long with a backhand. I think Cilic will take that.
Djokovic gets his first point on the board with an ace for 15-15 before another serve forces the mistake from Cilic. The Croatian does well to save a couple of game points but Djokovic, who has started a little shakily, warms to the task to get through the game.
BREAK! Djokovic passes Cilic at the net to take the opening point before he gets to 0-30 after a forehand error from the US Open champion. Cilic gets back to 30-30 but Djokovic brings up the first break point of the match after his opponent goes long with a forehand. Cilic throws down a sharp second serve but his follow-up shot is miscued and the first blow goes to Djokovic.
A big opening serve gets Djokovic off to the perfect start but a double fault keeps the scoreline close. It does little to unsettle for the defending champion, though, who holds to 30 with a composed backhand down the line. There aren't too many winners coming from the racquet of his opponent.
BREAK! There's big trouble for Cilic who falls 0-30 down thanks to a double fault and a quite ridiculous forehand winner on the run from Djokovic. The eighth seed then blasts a forehand long to concede three break points and another passing shot from Djokovic sees him seal the double break.
An unreturned first serve and a routine one-two from Djokovic ease him to 30-0 before he swats a forehand down the line for three game points. Cilic gets into the next rally but a forehand goes just wide to hand a service hold to the world number one.
SET! Finally, something positive to write about Cilic, who wins the first two points of a game he has to win, but if he thinks he is going to have it his own way, he will have to think again. A sublime drop shot from Djokovic gets him back to 30-30 before he thunders down a forehand return to bring up a set point after 26 minutes. Cilic saves the first with an ace but he can't save a second. Djokovic's move a set in front and it's been incredibly comfortable so far.
The crowd at the O2 Arena want to see a match and there's plenty of encouragement for Cilic when he gets to 15-15. However, an ace and a solid forehand from the baseline bring up two game points for Djokovic before a mis-hit backhand from Cilic concedes the game.
BREAK! Cilic looks on the verge of going 0-30 down but he steps into the net to put away a volley, much to the delight of the crowd. The US Open champion should be 40-30 ahead but Djokovic is incredible on the defensive and he forces the error from the Croatian. It's break point to Djokovic and it is converted when Cilic nets. It's only 2-0 in the second set, but that could be that.
BREAK! What was I saying? A couple of Djokovic errors hand 0-30 to Cilic before the Croatian unloads on a forehand to bring up three break points out of nowhere. He may have lost eight games in a row before this game but he breaks to love with another huge forehand. That should do him the world of good.
BREAK! The crowd are really backing Cilic now. He's powers down two unreturned serves for 30-0 but a couple of errors allow Djokovic back into it. The game progresses to deuce and it's Djokovic who has the ball on a string before unleashing a forehand winner down the line. Cilic goes on to save a couple of break points but he can't save a third. Djokovic reopens his two-game advantage in this set after breaking Cilic for a fifth time.
Djokovic is back to his commanding best, pushing Cilic around the court before converting a smash for 40-0. A second-serve return then finds the net and the world number one is two games away from the win.
BREAK! A cross-court backhand winner from Cilic gets him back into the game at 15-15 but the errors are continuing to come from his racquet and Djokovic is back at 30-30. Djokovic has had plenty of joy in firing returns at the feet of Cilic and it works again for another break point which is taken when his opponent frames a forehand. Deary me.
MATCH! You have to feel sorry for Cilic but this is so, so good from Djokovic. A forehand off the ground and a drop shot move him two points away from the match before an ace down the middle brings up three match points. The victory is completed at the first time of asking when Cilic nets a return and the defending champion is off to the perfect start.
I could write a 1000 words and still not do Djokovic justice for that performance. Cilic was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Djokovic will return on Wednesday, presumably the evening, to play Stanislas Wawrinka, while Cilic will face Tomas Berdych. There's not going to be a whole lot of confidence involved in that match after today's drubbings!
That will be all from our coverage of this match, but we will be back tomorrow afternoon for Roger Federer versus Kei Nishikori. I should imagine that match will last longer than 56 minutes! Fingers crossed. See you all then.
