World Tour Finals Thread - Match & Prediction Thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

So the ATPs premier showpiece event hits the O2 on Sunday. The sixth showing at the O2 and yielded only 3 different winners. Very interesting this year. 3 virgin qualifiers in Cillic, Raonic and Nishikori. Can we see a new winner? Can Nishikori and Raonic win the biggest title of their careers to date? Federer will have an eye on the DC like his compatriot Wawrinka, though he is woefully out of form of late. Has Murray much left in the tank to win his first title here at the O2? Can Berdych do a Davydenko and strike out of nowhere? Will it be a routine Djokovic victory?

For me the 2 that qualify from each group will be:

Group A

1) Djokovic
2) Raonic

Group B

1) Murray
2) Federer

Djokovic/Murray final

Winner: Djokovic

[temporary21]

Uh oh break to love for Novak. Is this gonna be another rr thumping ?

[temporary21]

This isn't fair. Fed and Novak are way too far ahead of the pack berdychs having to celebrate points here not games

[sirfredperry]

With Berych broken twice already I wonder if Djoko is going for the double bagel that just eluded Fed. As I write, Djoko has actually lost a point.

[Josiah Maiestas]

This is like bringing a pillow to a gun fight. 4-0 very routine

[temporary21]

F@ck me. Him and roger better not slip up in the semis I wanna see these 2 clash like neo and agent smith. I can't play this well in topspin and I've played that game for 5 years

[HM Murdock]

Him and roger better not slip up in the semis I wanna see these 2 clash like neo and agent smith.

I'm trying not to build it up too much in my mind but a Federer v Djokovic final could be an absolute scorcher.

[Silver]

The Djok is pretty much the only man who's been able to even crack 50% first serves this week consistently - could be the difference in the end. I've got no idea why everyone else is struggling so much on serve indoors!

[temporary21]

He's coming to the net more than federer right now. It's glorious tbh

[Chazfazzer]

Watching the tour finals this week has been like watching that bit in Space Jam when the NBA players have their talent taken away; the standard has just been so awful. You would struggle to believe these guys are top 800 in the world at times, let alone top 8.

[Guest]

Him and roger better not slip up in the semis I wanna see these 2 clash like neo and agent smith.

I'm trying not to build it up too much in my mind but a Federer v Djokovic final could be an absolute scorcher.

I hope so too, but something tells me that both at their absolute top level might just pass this clash by depending of course on how they play their respective SF's.

[sirfredperry]

Berdych's movement is so slow that he cannot put Djoko under any pressure. This tournament seems to get worse and worse.

[It Must Be Love]

Another one sided match it seems.

[sirfredperry]

The way Djoko is playing it could be that even Fed won't give him much of a match.

[Silver]

Well, that was comprehensive. Well done Novak, never lost focus. I fear for Kei!

He's coming to the net more than federer right now. It's glorious tbh

[temporary21]

A mangling. The number one for sure

[temporary21]

Fed could beat him but he won't get freedom to play like yesterday. He'll need pitch perfect volleying and much higher first serves to debt this. Or hope Novak drops ofc

[HM Murdock]

Novak joins Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Rafael Nadal in the group of players who have finished the year #1 three times or more.

The best thing about following Djokovic in this stage of his career is seeing his achievements gradually elevate him into groups populated by such good players.

[bogbrush]

Are Federer and Djokovic going to have to return some of their fees? I mean, Novaks's lost 9 games and Roger 13. That's one winning the average set 6-1.5 and the other 6-2.1

At least someone's got to lose games eventually; Hopefully Kei and Stan (probably) put up more of a scrap but otherwise the immovable object and the irresistible force will meet on Sunday.

[temporary21]

Just quickly, is group B set now? Or is there a chance Berdy might still take the second spot?

[greengoblin]

Another snoozefest from the choker and Berdbrain. How the heck Berdych is no 7 with atrocious backhand and movement I really don't know. So much for the 'golden era'. The only thing worth watching Berdych matches for is the few shots of his delightful wife. Possibly the finest on tour?

[HM Murdock]

the immovable object and the irresistible force will meet on Sunday.

A metaphor that fits their respective styles rather snugly!

This tournament is like a microcosm of the "Golden Era™" of recent years - excellent from the top players but utterly unremarkable from everyone else.

[HM Murdock]

The only thing worth watching Berdych matches for is the few shots of his delightful wife.

They did seem to keep returning to a certain camera angle...

[laverfan]

Just quickly, is group B set now? Or is there a chance Berdy might still take the second spot?

If Stan wins, he is through. If he loses, the direct h2h between Berdych v Wawrinka is in Stan's favor.

[laverfan]

Djokovic looks scary good.

[hawkeye]

the immovable object and the irresistible force will meet on Sunday.

Well they were meant to meet on a certain Sunday back in September but they weren't quite immovable or irresistible back then.

Just heard Greg talking on Sky. He says the ATP needs to have a bigger contrast in surfaces so the best players don't win so easily

[laverfan]

Just heard Greg talking on Sky. He says the ATP needs to have a bigger contrast in surfaces so the best players don't win so easily

Contrast it with this ATP decision, where they wanted the stars to contest finals so more revenue could come in to ATP coffers.

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/t...o/1179715.html

and a poor Google translate says...

The ATP decided that from next year the synthetic carpet disappear and all indoor tournaments must be hard-surfaced, prompting denials from several players. Surprisingly, ATP was determined to eliminate the artificial carpet on the international calendar after unifying all indoor tennis tournaments and must be covered by a hard surface, as was done for this year's Masters Series is being held in Paris and Madrid earlier. However, this measure was controversial among many players for favors those who need a slower court.

"It's a shame that these super fast surfaces disappear. Let's play a tennis where the most important thing will have four lungs and not the variety of shots. It is said that this is given by order of Federer and Nadal. It's amazing. So if Nadal calls a day are all tournaments on clay, what will, "he complained, laughing Jo Wilfried Tsonga.

On the side of the ATP, communications director Kris Dent found in the French sports daily L'Equipe that the change was agreed with the 50 best players on the circuit. "The change was decided for different reasons, but the most important is to adopt homogeneous surfaces, thus reducing the risk of injury," Dent said.

ATP looking to this decision that the game becomes more attractive and has less points earned by aces. "Physical force kills the talent," said the Romanian Ion Tiriac, Madrid Masters promoter. But the Croatian Mario Ancic not match that. "I'm against this change. You can not unify all surfaces because of the quality of the game. If you want players to develop all his shots, you need to play on faster surfaces, otherwise the game will be very boring," said .

[LuvSports!]

Good find LF but depressing findings!

[Guest]

ATP

[TRuffin]

The Djok is pretty much the only man who's been able to even crack 50% first serves this week consistently - could be the difference in the end. I've got no idea why everyone else is struggling so much on serve indoors!

Jimmy Arias on Tennis Channel yesterday was saying the players are complaining about the new blue lights the O2 or tourney is using to light up the crowd during play. In the past, the crowd was dark and was a great backdrop for serving. He says the new blue is strange and making it harder to track and time the balls- esp during serve.

Makes sense as clearly something was changed that has had an effect on nearly everyone's serving.

[Jahu]

So Stan to win tonight and play with Fed?

[temporary21]

Yeah colic doesn't look up to snuff

[DirectView2]

Stan can lose and qualify for the semi's if he makes more than 4 games.

Cilic can qualify if he beats Stan 6-2 6-1

Berdych can qualify if Cilic beats Stan say 6-2 6-2.

If Cilic beats Stan 6-2 6-2 score line then all 3 might have equal wins and and equal games won and equal matches won among the 3, making the scenario very interesting.

[Jahu]

So Im guessing Stan is qualified, no chance for him to not win 4 games.

[lags72]

Pretty sure I heard that the total attendances/advanced ticket sales for this week at the O2 are a record for ANY indoor tournament.

On my one & only visit (a few years ago) I was certainly impressed with the overall set-up & atmosphere. But I can't help wonder whether this disappointing succession of heavily one-sided (and very short-lived) RR matches will adversely affect ticket sales at next year's WTF. ......  

Will the same number of people be happy to shell out cash on a day or night session that might amount to little more than 50 minutes or so of barely competitive, uninspiring singles tennis .....? (even if each session does include a doubles match)

[temporary21]

Well thats the risk I guess, they dont know it beforehand, I think they also get a doubles match. Its like a boxing match, you go out pay what 60 quid or soo, and you may see just 2 minutes of actual boxing

[temporary21]

Well thats the risk I guess, they dont know it beforehand, I think they also get a doubles match. Its like a boxing match, you go out pay what 60 quid or soo, and you may see just 2 minutes of actual boxing

I also imagine cosmopolitan London wont remember whatsoever

[lags72]

Yep, I guess the crowds will be back next year in the same numbers.

Although I'm not so sure it's a matter of our capital being such a cosmopolitan city. More the fact that sport is generally about optimism and a sense of hope that the next match/event will be better than the last .....

[Jahu]

As far as Fed plays and Moët keeps him happy there will be crowds at O2

[hawkeye]

As far as Fed plays and Moët keeps him happy there will be crowds at O2

I don't know maybe most of those advance sales were hoping to see Rafa?

[lags72]

As far as Fed plays and Moët keeps him happy there will be crowds at O2

I don't know maybe most of those advance sales were hoping to see Rafa?

Hmm.......  

"Most" of them ....?? You really think so ....?

I think that would be surprising, given his comparatively unimpressive W/L record of 13-11 at such a big event.

[Jahu]

As far as Fed plays and Moët keeps him happy there will be crowds at O2

I don't know maybe most of those advance sales were hoping to see Rafa?

HE, stop flirting with me.

Does that make us 2 people talking unreal stuff?

[lags72]

Heavens above.

We actually have a 3 setter tonight .....

[Jahu]

Cilic doing a favour to Fed, making Stan work hard, sure the cash for the win is good to.

[hawkeye]

^ That should soften up Stan nicely for Federer tomorrow.

[Jahu]

Yeah and lets hope Ninja gives us a USO SF performance and beat Djoko.

[Guest]

^ That should soften up Stan nicely for Federer tomorrow.

Wasn't there a time when you used to pretend to be a Federer fan?

[Jahu]

Cilic has even copied the hand motion of a serve from Goran.

[Guest]

Djokovic will be first up tomorrow. Could be important if Federer-Wawrinka goes three sets.

[Jahu]

Is final on Monday or Sunday?

[hawkeye]

^ That should soften up Stan nicely for Federer tomorrow.

Wasn't there a time when you used to pretend to be a Federer fan?

I am a Federer fan but he is an old man and may need a bit of help.

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