Matteo Berrettini is on track to join Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the ATP Finals.
The Italian is eighth in the race to London after a fantastic season which has seen him challenge some of the best players in the world.
Federer smashed Berrettini 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in the Wimbledon fourth round this summer.
But the 23-year-old put up a much sterner fight then he took on Nadal in the US Open semi-final, losing 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-1.
When comparing both matches, Berrettini believes he can take more away from his battle with the world No 2.
“I arrived at the match against Federer with energy and confidence, but physically I ended up very tired,” Berrettini reflected.
“Possibly I would lose in the same way but the physicist left me without options.
“It was a game in which I learned a lot, but I think I learned more against Nadal, since I could play you with him for a set and a half.”
Berrettini is ranked No 13 in the world but is eighth in the race for London.
A strong showing over the Asian swing could see the Roman join a star-studded line-up at the O2 arena.
“It is an important tournament and I still find it strange to talk about it, because it is like a dream,” Berrettini said.
“But since I got here I now have the ability to fight for that place and close the season in a fantastic way.”
Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev have already qualified for the ATP Finals.
The remaining four positions are wide open with the likes of Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Roberto Bautista Agut all battling it out.
The season finale gets underway on Sunday, November 22 with the final taking place the following Sunday.
