With the 8 players having made their debuts, The tennis review looks at the matches, the performances and predicts what will happen next.
Match 1: Wawrinka defeats Berdych
Wawrinka looked to have the match sewn up as he led by a set and was a tiebreak away from victory. But Berdych, who seems to save his best tennis for the breakers, played his best tennis of the match to seal it 7-0. That was the Czech’s peak though as his ground game broke down in the third as it had done for much of the match and the Swiss’ backhand proved too much.
Match 2: Del Potro defeats Gasquet.
Gasquet certainly got under the 2009 finalist’s skin. Del Potro survived the test though to squeeze through a 7-5 third set, breaking in the 11th game, his groundstrokes too big for the Frenchman in the end.
Match 3: Nadal defeats Ferrer.
Ferrer’s Parisian exploits got the better off him, leaving him a shadow of the man who had beaten Nadal so convincingly indoors the week before. While Ferrer put up a good fight at the start of the match, once Nadal got into his stride and found the very slow Indoor surface to his liking, the result was never in doubt.
Djokovic defeats Federer.
For the first two thirds of the first set, Federer was the better player, his game coming to life at a tournament that inspires him. But at the end of the first set, too many errors brought about his downfall. The swiss came to life again in the second, his backhand and net game seeing him edge the breaker. But a letdown at the start of the third saw Djokovic inch ahead and then break away to take the third 6-2 and keep in the hunt for the year end number one position.
Predictions.
Nadal versus Wawrinka.
Wawrinka is not a force indoors and these courts seem designed for Nadal. Nadal also knows if he wins this match he will have the year end number one. Nadal to win in straights.
Ferrer versus Berdych.
Ferrer is tired, Berdych is in poor form. It is going to be a horrorshow. This match up favors Ferrer to the tune of 7-3 and his recent good form should see him edge this one.
Federer versus Gasquet
Federer played as well as he he has done this season in his opening match and should have enough to see off Gasquet. Expect the frenchman to be inspired and to do all he can to get the upset but Federer should come through this in 3 sets.
Djokovic versus Del Potro.
This could all depend on whether or not Nadal beats Wawrinka and gets the number one. If Nadal is number one, Del Potro had a chance here. But if Novak is still a contender for Year end number one, the match is likely to go his way. The match up has favored him more often than not so expect him to win in 3.
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