Tennis: ATP World Tour Finals - Masters cup London

[Boycie]

Homepage: http://www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com/ Event: ATP final masters Venue: London, O2 arena Time: 21.-28. November Surface: Indoor Hard Officials say that despite the surprise success of an ultra-quick new hard court at last week's Paris Masters, they are staying with the medium-pace carpet which has served the year-end event in various venues from Europe to Asia and back over the last decade and a half. "We are sticking to the same court we have used for 15 years without any major complaints," said Drewett. "Certainly it’s slower than last week. Players can either serve and volley or stay back so we view it as the fairest surface possible." (Tennistalk) The draw was made on Tuesday morning at La Galleria Pall Mall in London. Eight best players for this season are divided in two groups, and also the eight best ranked doubles SINGLES Group A Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic Tomas Berdych Andy Roddick Group B Roger Federer Robin Soderling Andy Murray David Ferrer DOUBLES Group A Bob Bryan Mike Bryan Lukas Dlouhy Leander Paes Mariusz Fyrstenberg Marcin Matkowski Jurgen Melzer Philipp Petzschner Group B Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjic Lukasz Kubot Oliver Marach Mahesh Bhupathi Max Mirnyi Wesley Moodie Dick Norman Schedule is already announced for first two days and I will post only singles here. Sunday, 21 November 2010 1 2 [4] R Soderling (SWE) vs [5] A Murray (GBR) 2,03 1,76 [2] R Federer (SUI) vs [7] D Ferrer (ESP) 1,12 6,06 Monday, 22 November 2010 [3] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) 1,29 3,50 [1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [8] A Roddick (USA) 1,36 3,07 average odds

[Boycie]

Re: Tennis: ATP World Tour Finals - Masters cup London I'm gonna try to put out some of my expectations and thoughts... Group A Rafael Nadal Previous appearances: 3, 2010 Grand Slam results: QF, W, W, W, Record against group opponents: 28-13 He never won the final tournament and I think he wont neither this time, no meter of his superb results on big four this year. First of all physically he is not at 100% (even i don't know nothing about his injury), and even the surface is not fast as in Paris this is not a clay and somehow I doubt he can win so many tough matches in one week. Even if he didn't even manage to take a set in his three matches last year (losing to Djoko, Davydenko and Soderling), with lousy Berdych and Davis cup (possibly) focused Djoko he should pass the group stage this time. Novak Djokovic Previous appearances: 3, 2010 Grand Slam results: QF, QF, SF, F, Record against group opponents:12-21 Main question that everyone is putting on the table regarding Djoko is what is his priority? Grande finale or Davis Cup? I would say both. And Djoko is for sure capable physically for both events. One more thing is that he wants to prove that he is at level of Nadal and Federer, not just the best after two of them. Even he failed in Paris, for me personally he played magnificent entire indoor season after US Open and he should pass this group in fight with Rafa and Roddick. Tomas Berdych Previous appearances: 0, 2010 Grand Slam results: 2nd, SF, F, 1st, Record against group opponents: 6-17 He is here only thanks to „I don't want to go in London“ performances of his concurrent. Yes, he made two great results on slams but everything else is awful (3-9 in his past 12) and I think he really don't stand a single chance here. Andy Roddick Previous appearances: 5, 2010 Grand Slam results: QF, 3rd, 4th, 2nd, Record against group opponents: 14-9 Not some especially good season for his standards but with strong finish he secured his place in London. Lot of minor injuries and in the end after loss in 2nd round of US Open he discovered that he has mononucleosis but it was to late. One good thing here is that he escaped Federer as his night mare, so he can afford one loss and still get through and i have feel that he will fight with Nadal for that place. Group B Roger Federer Previous appearances: 8, 010 Grand Slam results: W, QF, QF, SF, Record against group opponents: 29-9 If Roddick had bad season for his standards then what to say for this guy. He won only one slam. Who would put money on this after last five seasons? But I think he react well after US Open and performed strong till this match with Monfils that costs me muchos muchos dineros.... He will go through for sure and then everything is possible. My favorite overall with Murray. Robin Soderling Previous appearances: 1, 2010 Grand Slam results: 1st, F, QF, QF, Record against group opponents: 12-19 What to say? I think his smile went down fast after Paris when he saw his group. Against Federer he is gem collector, against Ferrer he should won but this surface is not so fast so who knows. I think his only hope is that Murray put down Rogerer and than he could get through in some combination's. Also, be careful that Soda has been battling stomach flu since the Paris final. It was reported that he has lost a couple of pounds in weight and did his first training session only yesterday. And more, the successful pairing of Soderling and coach Norman might break up after this season. Norman is supposedly tired of all the travel. All in all it doesn't seem that Soderling is coming to the finals in full shape. Andy Murray Previous appearances: 2, 2010 Grand Slam results: F, 4th, SF, 3rd, Record against group opponents: 11-10 Time and time again the biggest threat for me. Is he in the mood to destroy Federer or he just want to play playstation? He have everything needed but biggest question is how will take the pressure which could be the biggest hurdle in his chase for this title, as he is in London. I think this group could easily become the tricky one if Ferrer surprise someone but if he pass the group then everything is possible for him. David Ferrer Previous appearances: 1, 2010 Grand Slam results: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, Record against group opponents: 6-20 Hard working guy that really don't have nothing to look for here. First of all this is not a clay, and second his GS results and score against group opponents clearly suggest that there is no chance for him in this group. I hope I will find some acceptable odds for this one as this is something that really cant go wrong. I don't know why can't change the font, but I just can't. For those with bad eyes use ctrl + scroll :)