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

[bogbrush]

I do think Andy played a bad match there though; Fed played well but Murray's backhand totally disappeared in the second set. I think blowing that game from 40-0 when he looked to be trying to make some kind of point really hurt.

[Incrediblexman]

I think the Federer Murray rivalry is a weird one in that the outcome is often dictated by one of them playing badly. I've not seen many matches where they are both playing their best at the same time. Don't know if people agree with me.

[Danny_1982]

I do agree with that xman. There are a lot of one sided matches between them.

Federer at his best in indoor conditions really is tough to stop, especially when he has some momentum. That first set was very important. I think he has a great chance tomorrow, and I think he'll beat Novak.

[The Special Juan]

I saw 1 Saltire (or whatever, St. Andrew's (lol) Cross) in the crowd and that was it. Maybe Federer brought Basle with him.

And sorry to be the party pooper but I don't think Fed will beat Novak. Novak hasn't looked overly troubled so far. When he lost the first set v Murray he took it up a notch or 2 and never looked back. Even today when DelPo was smacking winners past him he didn't look a beaten man (although there were a couple of times he went pretty mental but that seemed to gee him up) and eventually won it pretty comfortably in the final set. Novak in 2. (For what it's worth, I would have said that no matter who he played in the final).

[Calder106]

I do think Andy played a bad match there though; Fed played well but Murray's backhand totally disappeared in the second set. I think blowing that game from 40-0 when he looked to be trying to make some kind of point really hurt.

Yes that game was a shocker. Missed 5 first serves in a row (including the one that got him to 40-0) and dumped at least 3 BH's into the net under very little pressure. The match was gone after that.

[Henman Bill]

Well , Special Juan maybe you should work for the bookies. I checked and Djokovic is 60%-40% favourite, according to them. Not sure I agree, I think this is a 50/50 showdown.

Federer is 2-2 vs Djokovic this season, and 2-0 off clay and 2-0 in the last 2 matches. Record at London is that Federer has won 2 out of the last three while Djokovic could not manage even 2 semi finals in the last three. In the last three years*, Federer has not lost a match here except the last group match when he already qualified.

* From the start of 2010 tournament including this tournament so far, Federer only lost one match to Del Potro, but he already qualified.

[FedsFan]

I for one am very surprised at the outcome as I honestly did not see this and I wasnt being a pessimist either. Fed came out playing the worst he has in a long time. Even Becker commented especially when he missed that shot that clipped the net and dumped it into the net standing a few feet away from it.

I think Fed got a little better and Murray's serve deserted him. The crowd played a huge part in lifting Federer. I think he had more support in that arena and that got into Murray's head especially after the booing.

I agree Novak will win. Unless he has a very bad day and Fed brings his A Game to the match up.
Fingers crossed!

[laverfan]

Goodluck to both players today.

Federer for #7 and #77 (will equal McEnroe)... (This the fifth time he has won more than 70+ matches in a season).

Djokovic for #2 (after his win over Davydenko in 2008).

Some history to be made.

[bogbrush]

It'd be fun to see Federer get #7 to go alongside 7 Wimbledons. These records he's set are completely mental.

[prostaff85]

Apart from setting these records, there are 1,000 points at stake if we think about #1 ranking during next year.

Djokovic is currently 2,155 points ahead of Federer. If he wins the final this gap will increase to 2,655 and Fed may never get to #1 again.

If Federer wins it and reduces the gap to 1,655, I see a slight chance Fed will recapture #1 before Wimbledon (although he needs to defend Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells and Madrid!).

Once question is of course: does Federer still care about this really? He already managed to get back to #1 this year and crossed the 300 weeks mark. Probably he just wants to win another Slam and won't lose any sleep over rankings :-)

[bogbrush]

Yes, I've been saying for months that Federer would lose the #1 by the year end but a good finish would see him have a decent shot at regaining it after the Australian and up to Indian Wells.

I agree there's really no more boundaries to cross, but I think he rather likes being #1 at this stage of his career and seeing these younger guys looking up.

[sirfredperry]

The 1,000 point swing tonight makes the match even more interesting in terms of possible changes to number one during 2013.
The good thing for Fed is he will have a good chunk of 800 points to take with him right through next year from this tourney and he's clearly going to be fairly highly ranked for most of 2013.
The amazing thing from Rafa's (what will be) six-month absence is that he is STILL number four. This is a reflection of his dominance in the first part of 2012 and the fact that the big points have gone not to the people below him who could have caught him (exception being Ferrer in Paris) but the three above him.
Rafa, though, has 1,200 pts to defend in Melbourne and plenty of clay court points after that. So we may finally - save for a couple of Soderling weeks - have a change in the top four.
Rafa's fitness and Fed's endurance are the keys to working out just who's likely to be king of the castle in 2013. Most expect Djoko and Andy M to have good years again but the make-up of the rest of the top places ? - who knows?

[laverfan]

I agree there's really no more boundaries to cross, but I think he rather likes being #1 at this stage of his career and seeing these younger guys looking up.

The young 'uns just keep fading in and out, without any significant forays. The current Top 10 has players who have been around 5-7 years already in that echelon.

The oldies are still unwilling to give up.

[LuvSports!]

enter JJ! i hope :P

[sirfredperry]

So what are the chances of anyone new getting into the top four in 2013? Del-Po perhaps, particularly if Rafa's fitness/unfitness means a dip in rankings.
I said at the start of 2012 that I reckoned the top four would be the same this year as last (and for the last X number of years, it seems) but that I was unsure what order they would finish.
In some ways, I wonder if Djoko will be as proud (prouder even) of his 2012 than his 2011. One thing to climb the mountain. Quite another to stay at the top.

[time please]

In some ways, I wonder if Djoko will be as proud (prouder even) of his 2012 than his 2011. One thing to climb the mountain. Quite another to stay at the top.

it must be a great springboard for his 2013 campaign. He is looking every inch the number one player at the moment.

Is there any news on Nadal's return? Imo, if he does return it will mean that he and his team feel that he is more than capable of taking the tour by storm and blazing through the season - I can't see him returning for less so I would hazard a guess that the top four will remain the same for at least the majority of 2013. Nadal watchers out there - any rumblings?

[sirfredperry]

I noticed even Andrew Castle articulated, on air, the difficulty for anyone trying to get a clear message out of Spain on Rafa's progress.
Guess we may have to wait throughout the close season before things become more transparent. If the January slam was the French you reckon Rafa would play. But the Australian.....

[FedsFan]

I think Djoko will be out to avenge his Wimbledon and cincy losses. I dont think i have seen Federer celebrate a semi.win as he did yesterday. Its as if he won the title. Just wondering whether he was so overwhelmed he came thru that the focus maybe less tonight. I expect Djoko to come out all guns blazing. Perhaps its still a better match up than JMDP again! I hope Fed wins cos Novaks got more years ahead to reach these finals. This could be Feds last as the pack have caught up and to be consistent at 31 all year to reach this event may become difficult.

[sirfredperry]

FedsFan - Don't think you should be too worried about Fed failing to reach the 2013 year-end shindig. He'll only have to be in the top eight and he'll be carrying plenty of points into 2013 to keep him out of trouble in early rounds of events.
Whether you mean that he will find it hard to reach THE FINAL again at the O2 then that's quite a different story. Don't think he will win tonight but he may have less trouble with Djoko than with a hard-hitting del Po who looked particularly dangerous at times v Djoko but could not quite keep it going.

[prostaff85]

Another problem for Rafa is that, even if he plays the AO, it's very likely he will drop behind Ferrer in the rankings by the end of January.

This means he will have a 75% chance of meeting Djoko/Murray/Fed already in the quarterfinals of the big tournaments. I guess these 3 guys aren't looking forward to that either :-)

Or maybe draws will be rigged so that Rafa sits in Ferrer's quarter

[sirfredperry]

A fit Rafa is bad enough - but a wounded Rafa

[hawkeye]

If and when Rafa comes back it won't matter what the rankings say as long as he is able to return fully fit.

[bogbrush]

The 1,000 point swing tonight makes the match even more interesting in terms of possible changes to number one during 2013.
The good thing for Fed is he will have a good chunk of 800 points to take with him right through next year from this tourney and he's clearly going to be fairly highly ranked for most of 2013.
The amazing thing from Rafa's (what will be) six-month absence is that he is STILL number four. This is a reflection of his dominance in the first part of 2012 and the fact that the big points have gone not to the people below him who could have caught him (exception being Ferrer in Paris) but the three above him.
Rafa, though, has 1,200 pts to defend in Melbourne and plenty of clay court points after that. So we may finally - save for a couple of Soderling weeks - have a change in the top four.
Rafa's fitness and Fed's endurance are the keys to working out just who's likely to be king of the castle in 2013. Most expect Djoko and Andy M to have good years again but the make-up of the rest of the top places ? - who knows?

Every time I expect Murray to break through he does something like last night and makes me think he'll always be a step under.

Nadal has always had loads of 1st half year points.

[laverfan]

enter JJ! i hope :P

I hope so, but he is not in his teens either. (Same age group as Raonic, Dimitrov and slightly older than Harrison, Tomic).

[The Special Juan]

There's darts on tonight

[HM Murdock]

This is starting to feel a bit like the Cincy match...

It's not a Novak match without a slow start!

[Incrediblexman]

Great start from Fed. This could be a torture chamber night for Djokovic.

[Danny_1982]

Wow what a point. Mr Federer at his absolute best.

[kemet]

As soon as Roger started to miss his first serve, I always knew a Djokovic revival was on the cards.

Back on serve.

[Henman Bill]

Is this on BBC3 because they really think badgers and master chef are of greater interest? A sad reflection on the popularity of tennis.

(Unless it's due to rights or they can pay less for BBC3, or some deal with Sky, all of which I doubt.)

[lydian]

Its almost as impressive how Djokovic rebounded. Some great shotmaking on display. The question is whether either of them can keep this current high level up.

[CAS]

this reminds me of their French Open match for some reason

[kemet]

this reminds me of their French Open match for some reason

Yep. Roger had leads in the first two sets in that final. As soon as the two start rallying, Roger looks decidedly second best.

[Henman Bill]

I see this as a really big game, mentally it will have some effect after as well I feel.

[Henman Bill]

Roger struggling to get out of service games which he has the lead in, only seems to have this issue against Djokovic?

[kemet]

Roger struggling to get out of service games which he has the lead in, only seems to have this issue against Djokovic?

He does not move as well anymore, so he is trying to pull the trigger earlier, hence the errors.

Tennis is very unforgiving to players once they lose a step.

[Henman Bill]

That break there might decide the match. I also feel mentally it's tough for Federer from here.

[Tropicalfruiter]

Roger struggling to get out of service games which he has the lead in, only seems to have this issue against Djokovic?

He does not move as well anymore, so he is trying to pull the trigger earlier, hence the errors.

Tennis is very unforgiving to players once they lose a step.

Yes, Rog looks over the hill and rattled.

[kemet]

First set not over yet.

The old man hangs in there.

[Henman Bill]

That break there might decide the match. I also feel mentally it's tough for Federer from here.

Prediction of the week surely.

[Guest]

Wow so many momentum swings in this first set. Still neck and neck.

[Henman Bill]

Was that served call out and then conceded by Djokovic or called in and then Djokovic confirmed that?

[HM Murdock]

6-5 with Novak serving to stay in the set.

This scenario has not ended happily on a few occasions this year.

[HM Murdock]

6-5 with Novak serving to stay in the set.

This scenario has not ended happily on a few occasions this year.

Phew!

[Mad for Chelsea]

couple of ordinary errors from Fed on the first two points of the TB, but that's a lovely BH down the line (how much improved has that shot been this year) to get the mini-break back.

[Mad for Chelsea]

poor FH from Federer, that was a real chance there, 3-3

[Mad for Chelsea]

there's a good FH though, wrong-footing Djokovic for 4-4. Is it me or does Djokovic look a little weary out there? longer matches this week maybe catching up with him? oh dear, the Fed BH, so solid yesterday, misfires and Djokovic has the mini-break at 5-4

[kemet]

What a point from the maestro at 5-6.

Who says Roger can't volley.

[Mad for Chelsea]

that's brilliant! Federer maybe a bit fortunate with the volley but it's a wonderful FH to finish. set point saved 6-6...

[Mad for Chelsea]

but then surprisingly Federer gets carried away, and it's another SP to Djokovic...

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