Murray Falls in Federer Group; Nadal with Novak at ATP World Finals
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The round robin groupings for the 2009 ATP World Tour Finals in London are hot out of the oven, so let’s get right to them. In Group A: Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Juan Martin Del Potro and Fernando Verdasco. In Group B: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko and Robin Soderling. ADHEREL
I would say both groups are well-balanced with a slight weighting to A which holds the last two hardcourt Slam finalists plus the home favorite.
Overall, though, this year unlike the past there really are no “gimmee” type matches. If they are on their game anyone really could beat anyone. That said, it’s wicked tough to pick a winner here.
Djokovic and Murray, however, are far and away the two hot players going in but can you trust either of them on a grand stage as this? Maybe Novak hit his peak last weekend and maybe the pressure and expectations will get to Murray as it did at the Slams this year. Or maybe they ride the storm out and get to the finals. It’s hard to say.
About the only thing I see right now is Djokovic in the semifinals, and Soderling/Del Potro not winning this event. Novak’s the guy right now and I can’t see him losing twice in his group. DelPo just didn’t impress me much down the stretch and if he is indeed injured then he’s going to have a tough time. Beyond that, anything could happen. And Soderling, who got in when Andy Roddick withdrew yesterday, may be a little overwhelmed in his first post-season championships.
Breaking down the groups.
Group A: Federer, Murray, DelPo, Verdasco
You have to like Murray to get through and I think Federer will join him. If, however, DelPo is playing like he did at the US Open then all bets are off. The same can be said of Verdasco who if he plays to his ability in his first year-end Tennis Masters could do some real damage. My initial guess is both DelPo and Fernando will not be at their best thus paving the way for the favorites Murray and Roger. I hope they prove me wrong though and they turn the group upside-down!
“Whoever you draw is going to be tough,” said Murray, who reached the semi-finals in Shanghai last year. “Obviously I look forward to playing Roger. I’ve played Juan a few times on the tour recently and also had a close match recently with Verdasco indoors in Valencia. It’s a tough group but if I play well I think I have a good chance of qualifying.”
Group B: Nadal, Djokovic, Davydenko, Soderling
Looks like we’ll get another Nadal-Djokovic meeting and if it happens with meaning (it could be a dead rubber type of match) I think Novak will win and get through to the semifinals. The Serb is playing too well to not beat Davydenko and Soderling. Nadal’s the guy for the second berth but it’s not that easy. The Spaniard won some matches last week but really didn’t play all that great and we know Soderling, who beat him at the French, and Davydenko match up well against Rafa. But for now I’ll cop out and take Rafa.
Matches begin on Sunday at the 02 Arena so plenty to pontificate on between now and then. I’ll have full predictions (I know many of you probably make heaps of money betting the opposite!) on the weekend.
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Group A
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Group B
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Roger Federer
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Rafael Nadal
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Andy Murray
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Novak Djokovic
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Juan Martin Del Potro
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Nikolay Davydenko
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Fernando Verdasco
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Robin Soderling
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| ATP Points: 200 per RR win; 400 for SF; 500 for Final win Undefeated Champion: 1,500 pts Prize Money: |
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