ATP Finals Draw: Djokovic Lands With Federer, Del Potro; Nadal With Berdych, Ferrer

Vamos Rafa!!

November 2nd, 2013 at 10:38 am

Wow, that’s called LUCK (for Nadal) – avoided Delpo AND Fed….

November 2nd, 2013 at 10:50 am

Group B is a killer.

November 2nd, 2013 at 10:52 am

As a Rafan all I can say about that draw is…

AWESOME!!!!!

Vamos Rafa!!!!!!

November 2nd, 2013 at 11:10 am

When I won most competitive WTF in the history, I had group Djokovic, Nadal and Soderling (who beat both).

Then I face two non-mugs from other group, Federer and Del Potro.

Only GOAD can do.

November 2nd, 2013 at 11:24 am

On the flip side. The guy who tops Group B should get to the final assuming Rafa tops Group A. Rafa’s semi-final and final matches are going to be really tough. So in the grand scheme of things, he hasn’t really benefited that much. Although it’s unfortunate that Group B is totally loaded and Group A isn’t.

November 2nd, 2013 at 11:42 am

Here we go,everytime a draw for a tourney any tourney comes out,people shout Rafa lucky blahdy blah,look we always have it rammed down our throats how crap he is inddors anyway etc etc,so how can any draw be desribed as lucky?seems like a contradition in terms.

November 2nd, 2013 at 12:27 pm

C’mon folks – Rafa has won a grand total of 2 indoor tournaments in his career, and one was a lame duck clay one in Brazil earlier this year.

What he needs to do is win 2 matches in round robin and he finishes the year end, no matter what Nole does. If he only wins one he has to hope Djokovic loses one match and doesn’t sweep London.

Of course this is all moot if Ferrer wins tomorrow against Djokovic in the Paris final.

November 2nd, 2013 at 2:46 pm

Oops – my second paragraph should read he finishes the year end at number 1.

November 2nd, 2013 at 2:48 pm

1 win is guaranteed for rafa. Against bardick. He loses the match even before stepping on the court

The other two? I’m not sure. I mean, rafa’s the favorite. But after what i have seen tonight, i think stan and ferrer might be able to upset rafa in london.

November 2nd, 2013 at 3:13 pm

Gasquet is not making his debuts there.

November 2nd, 2013 at 3:14 pm

Re Rafa and the YE no.1:

Put simply: It’s on his racquet.

The equation is simple for him:

Beat 2 of: Ferrer, Berdych and Wawrinka.

IF the man plays his best- then quite frankly speaking he’ll pull it off.

November 2nd, 2013 at 3:29 pm

@ Brando. And this is all assuming joker wins everything, WTF and DC.

November 2nd, 2013 at 3:38 pm

@Giles:

Hi, yeah. That’s by no means a done deal.

Relax: this loss will just fire up Rafa to hit Ferru hard first thing come Tuesday.

It could be a blessing in disguise though.

Everyone has accounted for the negative of this defeat but what about the positives:

1. He’s bagged 360 points and 4 matches in his first Indoor tourny after 2 years- not bad at all.

2. He’s match sharp now for O2- especially v Ferru, a player he is MORE THAN capable enough of beating at WTF.

3. Extra rest and practise: could be vital for WTF.

4. Favorable draw:

– Gives him best chance to qualify for the SF stage.

– Best chance to pick up form and hit the knockout round with all that he has got.

All in all:

I am pretty relaxed about Rafa’s situation. It’s all good.

He has won 10 tournies this year. Just like Novak did in 2011.

Nole lost early in Basel to Nishikori, got knocked out in RR stage at WTF.

I did not hear ANYONE press the alarm for him then: so why Rafa now after one mere defeat?

Chill my friend- it’s all good.

November 2nd, 2013 at 3:47 pm

Well done by defending champ Ferru today. While a final appearance by Rafa wasn’t a given in Paris even with his relatively soft draw, I didn’t think it would be Ferru that would stop him.

Rafa can use the day off tomorrow as he may have to play on Monday assuming Group A will play first.

Good luck to Ferru in the final!!!

Vamos Rafa!!!

November 2nd, 2013 at 3:52 pm

I think Rafa will be playing on Tuesday. He will be in London tomorrow and will be practicing in the Arena in the afternoon.
Surely David will be somewhat knackered by then? He has played 3 straight weeks!
Vamos Rafa!

November 2nd, 2013 at 4:01 pm

@ hawkeye: Hi there.One loss no big deal.Rafa is playing Tuesday like Novak-the group are mixed during two days-one half plays Monday, one plays Tuesday.tuesday-Rafa and Ferrer ( revenge?), Novak-Federer ( revenge?).

November 2nd, 2013 at 4:04 pm

Basically on Tuesday in London is exact repeat of Bercy semi-final.Bizzare.

November 2nd, 2013 at 4:05 pm

@Brando. Maybe this loss today is a blessing in disguise. He will be fresh for the battles that lie ahead next week. A couple of days rest is good, no?
Vamos Rafa!

November 2nd, 2013 at 4:06 pm

@Giles:

I think it is. And I think he’ll benefit from it.

He’ll be fired up from this loss, you watch!

November 2nd, 2013 at 4:13 pm

http://alturl.com/kzims
Here’s the schedule of play for the WTF.

November 2nd, 2013 at 4:21 pm

Losing to a doormat is bad. Doormats make champions possible…

November 2nd, 2013 at 4:56 pm

Got tickets for Tuesday night and Sunday – obviously very excited! We’ll see who’s the last man standing here..

November 2nd, 2013 at 6:32 pm

http://alturl.com/ywkfy
Josh when I read this article you immediately came to mind if only for the comments on Andrew Castle!

November 3rd, 2013 at 5:00 am

@ Josh: I envy you! I had so many chances to go to Finals and I never did.Always something more important…I will change my attitude and go next year to Roland Garrros or Bercy.

November 3rd, 2013 at 8:34 am

@courbon. Please don’t jinx Rafa at Roland Garros or you will have me to answer to! Lol

November 3rd, 2013 at 9:00 am

@ Josh
I am envy with all your tickets. For those who live in Europe , they have more plenty of times and chances to watch live. Sometimes I think it’s better to move there. :-) more opportunity to watch tennis or other sports and all the best one.

November 3rd, 2013 at 9:05 am

@ Giles: and all wanted is to be friendly…phwww. Ok, it’s a deal.

November 3rd, 2013 at 9:15 am

@Sirius,
“bardick.”?
Hecka funny! ;-)

@Josh
Enjoy!

November 3rd, 2013 at 10:58 am