Tomas Berdych has thrashed US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-3 6-1 to remain in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals.

Czech world No.7 Berdych had been routed by Stan Wawrinka in his opening match at London’s O2 Arena, but he bounced back in style and could qualify for the last four with a victory over defending champion Novak Djokovic in his final Group A tie on Friday.

“I think today was more about fighting and getting through it,” Berdych said.

“It’s not my first year. I have the experience of losing the first match in the past and I know how to come back. I think that was the biggest difference.”

Quizzed during an on-court interview about the daunting task of facing world No.1 Djokovic, Berdych jokingly asked the crowd: “Any tips? I will need some.

“I just want to try to bring my best tennis and we’ll see what happens. I hope I can have a great match.”

Cilic’s second straight sets defeat at the season-ending event means the Croatian has no chance of qualifying after winning just six games in his two matches.

The 26-year-old made a whopping 30 unforced errors over the course of a woeful 74-minute meltdown and he must be counting down the days until he can leave the English capital.

Berdych has lost his opening match of the Tour Finals in all five of his appearances, but the former Wimbledon runner-up had also won the next tie on each previous occasion and once again showed he could respond well to adversity.

Cilic, making his Tour Finals debut, had enjoyed important grand slam victories over Berdych at Wimbledon and then the US Open this year.

But Berdych got a measure of revenge for those losses with a dominant display.