The ATP World Tour Finals enters its fifth day tomorrow in London. So far, all eight matches have been straight sets, and many of them nothing less than demolition jobs. So, are we going to get out first competitive match tomorrow? The tennis review previews the action and gives its predictions.
Afternoon Match: Kei Nishikori Vs Milos Raonic
The last time these two met in the Tokyo final, Nishikori just edged the Canadian in a third set tiebreaker. That win extended Nishikori’s head to head lead over Raonic to 4-1 with three of those wins coming on hard courts.
So far in London, Nishikori has played the better tennis of the two. But neither have produced the kind of tennis that got them into the tournament in the first place. Nishikori won ugly against Murray, and did not really turn up in his match versus Federer. Raonic has also done something of a disappearing act, too- his forehand and, most crucially his serve, have been nowhere to be seen despite being very much present in his run to the Paris final less than a fortnight ago.
Predicition: Considering Nishikori has a win under his belt and his game suits the surface better, it is hard not to see the Japanese winning this. And if Raonic cannot find his serve again, and Nishikori misfires from the baseline, this match could get ugly. Most likely the tournament’s first three setter, and even though it won’t be pretty, it should finally inject some drama into proceedings.
Evening match: Roger Federer vs Andy Murray
Federer has dominated Murray the two times they have met this year in Melbourne and Cincinnati, leveling their head to head to 11-11. Of the two, Federer, right now, is in far better form having won titles in Shanghai, beating Djokovic on the way, and in Basel. He has also played much better tennis in his two round robin matches, going 2-0, while Murray was unable to beat an out of sorts Nishikori serving at 49 percent and beat a disappointing Milos Raonic to go 1-1.
Murray, though, had been playing well up to the event, winning three titles in six weeks of consecutive play. And with two matches under his belt, he may have shaken off the malaise. He also knows he has to win this match in order to qualify for the semis, so he could pull out a final season ending performance worthy of the world’s sixth best player.
Unfortunately, Murray comes up against a highly motivated and solid Federer who knows he has to win all his remaining matches of the season if he wants to end the year as No. 1, or increase his chances of taking the top spot early next year, a Federer who should ultimately prove too much to handle for the Scot.
Prediction: Federer to win in straight sets, one close, one easy.
Commentary by Christian Deverille
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