London, UK, 10 November 2016 | Matt Trollope

John Peers will gear up for the 2016 edition of the ATP World Tour Finals with a hit at London’s iconic O2 Arena today.

The Australian, currently ranked 12th and partnering Henri Kontinen in the eight-team doubles field, has qualified for the season-ending event for the second year running.

In 2015, he played with Jamie Murray.

“It’s a great experience to reach the O2 again. After playing in the tournament last year I made it my goal to make sure I was there again,” Peers told tennis.com.au.

“The venue is great, the crowds are always good and the atmosphere is energetic. I will hit at the O2 arena on Thursday for the first time and I’m excited to get back there.”

https://twitter.com/ATPWorldTour/status/796437967812362241

Peers and Kontinen qualified for the World Tour Finals after winning their first-round match at last week’s Paris Masters.

They are the fifth seeds and have been drawn in a round-robin group also containing Nicolas Mahut/Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Feliciano Lopez/Marc Lopez and Raven Klaasen/Rajeev Ram.

“The biggest difference to 2015 was that (this year) we didn’t get our spot confirmed in the top eight until the last tournament of the year,” Peers said.

“This year was about being consistent throughout the whole year. We had to perform in the last two Masters events (Shanghai and Paris) to gain our spot.

“Having the experience of making the O2 last year gave me confidence to know that when it came down to the last few tournaments. we could perform.

“It’s a great event and gives you some more drive during the last few weeks of the year.”

Peers and Kontinen will kick off their London campaign on Monday against the Spanish duo of Lopez and Lopez.