ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS- LIVE MATCH THREAD

[User 774433]

First topic message reminder :

WIll be updated each day with new schedule:
THE FINALE:

Evening: 8:00 PM Start
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (1) vs ROGER FEDERER (2)


Group standings:
Group A:
Djokovic- 3-0
Murray- 2-1
Berdych- 1-2
Tsonga- 0-3

Group B:
Federer- 2-0
Ferrer- 1-1
Del Potro- 1-1
Tipsarevic- 0-2

Semis:
Djokovic bt Del Potro
Federer bt Murray

[The Special Juan]

Rosol.

[Guest]

ah ok, completely forgot about him

[banbrotam]

Not certain we leant anything about DP, that we didn't know, i.e. he can cause anyone a problem for an hour, but crucially not those who stay with him for two

This will always be his problem. That frame simply cannnot go toe to toe with Murray or Nole for three hours - which is what would be needed to kill them off

I also thought Novak played a pretty tacticlly inept for an hour - he never got Del Potro moving laterally, rarely brought him into the net etc

Del Potro is better than when he won the US Open - but so are the Top 4

[Danny_1982]

Completely agree with that banbro. Novak almost allowed Delpo to get into a rhythm. He didn't move him forwards or sideways anywhere near as much as he should have, and didn't mix the pace up much either. Delpo struggles with variety, but for a long time he didn't have to today.

The fact that Delpo couldn't sustain it again makes me question if he'll ever reach a slam final again. He's getting fractions better all the time, and his movement looked loads better for about an hour today.... But that's a huge cargo to carry around for 4 or so hours, so I just think Novak Murray and Rafa will always be able to turn matches round against him.

[User 774433]

At a Thai restaurant at the O2

Djoko was superb at the end there, sad for Del Pot though
Must say Del P is great to see live, he hits the ball so so hard.

Anyway now I've got Fed vs Murray, hope Roger keeps that competitive.

[lags72]

banbro - I don't disagree wildly but I do feel you're being a bit harsh on Novak as regards being "tactically inept for an hour"

Djoko was playing well I thought in the first set, it was his 'normal' game and good enough for most matches, but he was just outgunned by Delpo at key moments.

In the second set Delpo's level dropped, Novak got even stronger and tightened things up, and pretty soon the writing was on the wall .....

At the Olympics Delpo moved far better than most folk were predicting he would on grass, and he's clearly still the best of the really tall guys.

It's the consistency that's the problem but I guess in essence that's the point you're making as regards his frame. Even when he was on top form, beating Federer in Basle and here at the 02 it still needed an unusually high UE count from Fed (42 in yesterday's match alone I believe ) to help him on his way.

[lags72]

Glad you're enjoying things there IMBL .... but then how could anyone not, with these sort of players to be seen live ...?? And Thai food too .... yummy ....

If Fed carries on UE-wise where he left off yesterday then it could very easily be Murray in straights, and maybe quick ones too. Here's hoping it goes the distance.

[The Special Juan]

This match has to be on MarNie's racquet. So many chances but so many missed balls that are easy. Lopez....... Don't think he'll ever pair with Paes.

[The Special Juan]

Such a nice boy.

"Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes

As if our waistlines are not large enough @DjokerNole hands out chocolates to press to thank them for their 'co-operation' this year"

[The Special Juan]

Oh MarNie They're probably playing better than the Spaniards but can't win the big points.

[The Special Juan]

Yes!!! They break Granollers (who has served pretty well when it has counted).

[invisiblecoolers]

JMDP looking very tired. His only hope looks like big final push.

Once he let the 2nd set go I don't think so he was mentally there let alone physical tiredness, but what I like about Del Po is the way he handles his defeat and comes back firing next time when he sees the same opponent, I won't be surprised if he gives some hard time to Nole next year around.

[invisiblecoolers]

.

Del Potro is better than when he won the US Open - but so are the Top 4

Not in terms of confidence, his confidence took a severe beating after his injury, DP can certainly win some big tournaments 2013 around if he gets his confidence back, the good part is the confidence is building slowly and steadily and every win he has over top4 will make him believe even further, right now the toughest challange for DP out of top 4 is Murray followed by Djoko, he needs some scrappy win over them and it will happen sooner or later.

[The Special Juan]

Here we go. I love Steve Ulrich's voice; it's phenomenal.

Good luck Fed fans. May the better man win this match.

[Danny_1982]

This could be a belter. I think it will go to 3 sets.

No idea who will win. Just going to enjoy the feast.

[banbrotam]

Andy's first slam, has made me wonderfully indifferent to tonight's match - particualrly as Roger has decided to go back to his lovely personality that was evident prior to 2006

Let's have a good match and may the best man win. These two have now started to have good matches and as (for me) the two players who have the best touch on tour - here's hoping!!

[Mad for Chelsea]

Murray with the fast start, a good FH return rushing Federer and he breaks first up...

[Danny_1982]

The crowd is 50-50. Surprising, but then this is Federer who is loved everywhere he goes.

[Incrediblexman]

I don't think Federer looks up for this. Murray in 3 I predict.

[lags72]

I'm thinking Murray in two at this rate ....

[User 774433]

I can see Mirka

[Incrediblexman]

I hate seeing Federer playing at an average level or below. Pointless viewing really.

[Mad for Chelsea]

better from Federer, Murray working his way to 0-30 but some big serves from Federer see off the danger, just.

[Guest]

I hate seeing Federer playing at an average level or below. Pointless viewing really.

I know what you mean.. if feels like all is not well with the world. Federer should always plays his sublime brand of tennis.

[Danny_1982]

He picked it up at the end of that game. Some vintage Federer.

I'm amazed so many are dismissing him. This is Federer on an indoor court. There aren't many tougher matches in tennis.

This will be tight, I'm convinced of it.

[Guest]

Amazed at how much support Fed seems to have

[Incrediblexman]

We'll see. I think the last few weeks have seen a return of the bad Federer e.g bad concentration, level dips, and looking slighty uninterested at times. I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt as it has been a long, hard season but he usually plays brilliantly at this stage.

[lags72]

emanci - I guess many of them are watching him live for the first time.

The act you've known for all these years ..... the 17 Slam man ..... roll up roll up, come see him while you still can ....

[Incrediblexman]

Dreadful misses from Fed to 30-30. Break point though!

[Guest]

COOOOOOOOOOOme ooooooooooooon

let's go Roger!

[Danny_1982]

Is this being played in Britain or Switzerland?

The crowd sounds 60-40 for Roger. Amazing!

[Guest]

Fed seems to have more support than Murray

[Guest]

Is this being played in Britain or Switzerland?

The crowd sounds 60-40 for Roger. Amazing!

Yeah massive cheers for every Fed point.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Murray gone walkabout, and Fed taking full advantage...

[Guest]

and muted applause for Murray points accompanied by some groans

[Incrediblexman]

Bloody sky commentary saying support for each player was evenly spread. Ich don't think so.

[lags72]

Walkabout ..... or is Fed starting to bring some pressure ....??

[Mad for Chelsea]

very good hold from Murray, though Federer will be kicking himself for being a bit passive there...

[Mad for Chelsea]

I think it's a bit of both lags, you certainly wouldn't expect Murray to be making as many UEs as he has today. Federer's BH has been very solid.

[Guest]

emanci - I guess many of them are watching him live for the first time.

The act you've known for all these years ..... the 17 Slam man ..... roll up roll up, come see him while you still can ....

Hehe

Don't know how I missed this.

[Danny_1982]

I find it a bit odd, Fed having more support.

When you think back to Wimbledon which was probably 70-30 Murray. The Olympics which were 99-1 Murray... Then he comes back to the uk as a slam winner, our first in 76 years... And the crowd are more for Roger at an event a Brit has never won.

Obviously Roger is a legend, but it's odd hearing a London crowd not behind Murray.

[lags72]

fair comment MfC - but then again Fed was gifting a good few UE's of his own (on his normally trusty forehand) in the early games

[lags72]

Danny - my own recollection of Wimby was much more like 50/50

But the Union Flag certainly kicked in when it came to the Olympics .....

[lydian]

Sumptuous BHs by Fed at 5-4 in TB

[Jahu]

Fed the man, takes the set out of nowhere. Go FED Go

[Mad for Chelsea]

Murray it is who cracks in the TB, two poor FH errors giving Federer the crucial chance, and when he misses another BH Federer has the first set.

Can Murray find something extra? looks a bit jaded to me...

[JuliusHMarx]

Murray let him off the hook there. Should have closed out the set without a tie-break.
Weak umpiring after Murray breaks his racket.

[The Special Juan]

Came down to a couple of points in the end. The force is with the Fed and it will be interesting to see how Murray responds.

[Danny_1982]

There's loads of Swiss football tops and Swiss flags in the crowd. Roger invited Basle over for the weekend!

Federer deserved that. He was a little braver in the end. Murray looked awesome at the start, but lost confidence midway through.

I think Roger may win in straights now.

[User 774433]

Crowd firmly behind Roger.
From where I'm sitting its 70-30 Fed support.

Let me try and balance that lol

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