Djokovic Reaches SFs Stage At ATP Finals, Cilic Beats Isner; Federer-Anderson Rematch

by Staff | November 14th, 2018, 10:25 pm
  • 20 Comments

Novak Djokovic rolled into the semifinals in London on Wednesday. As the round-robin stage continued at the ATP Finals, Djokovic defeated youngster Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-1.

Djokovic, who has won 34 of his last 36 matches, will take on Marin Cilic on Friday. Cilic put the Serb through to the semifinals for an eighth time by coming from a set down to beat John Isner 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4.

Cilic has just one win in nine at the event, and looked in trouble again after dropping the first set to the debutant Isner. But Cilic benefited from two double faults from Isner handing over two breaks, one at 3-4 in the second and another to start the third.


“I had to just stay patient, just stay focused and I felt that I played really great tennis from the second set and the third set as well,” Cilic said. “I’m really pleased with the win.”

Isner, 0-2, is still alive in the event but has to beat Zverev on Friday and Djokovic oust Cilic.

“I think he just started seeing the ball better,” Isner said. “Maybe I tipped some of my pitches. But he started getting on me a lot there.”

On Thursday, 6-time champion Roger Federer is back against Kevin Anderson in a rematch of the South African’s epic win at Wimbledon.

“I don’t think I’ll go into the match thinking too much of it,” Federer said. “I think I have enough things to focus on from my own side, from my own game, to make sure I play a good match against him here in the next match.

“I’m really excited to get a chance to play him again, to be honest. I’ve played well against him in the past. I hope I can reproduce something like that.”

If Anderson and Nishikori both win, Federer is out.

Also, Kei Nishikori clashes with Dominic Thiem. The 0-2 Austrian has to win to have a chance to make the weekend.

“First of all, I have to get my tennis back. I’ll try that tomorrow. If I don’t get it back, I don’t need to watch for the other results because then I will also lose my third match. I have to get my good tennis back,” Thiem said. “I really want to play a good match. Doesn’t matter if it’s the last one here or not.”

Nishikori leads Thiem 3-1 including a win in Vienna last month.

“It’s different surface,” Nishikori said reflecting back. “This one is much quicker. He’s obviously a good player. He done really well this year. So, I’m sure it’s going to be a tough one. I got to play, I have to raise my level for sure.”

THURSDAY ATP FINALS LONDON SCHEDULE
Centre Court 12:00 Noon
RR 4 Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares v (9) Alt Henri Kontinen/John Peers
Not Before 2:00 Pm
RR 6 Dominic Thiem v 7 Kei Nishikori
Not Before 6:00 Pm
RR 2 Juan Sebastian Caba/lRobert Farah v 6 Raven Klaasen/Michael Venus
Not Before 8:00 Pm
RR 2 Roger Federer v 4 Kevin Anderson


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20 Comments for Djokovic Reaches SFs Stage At ATP Finals, Cilic Beats Isner; Federer-Anderson Rematch

Nolefam Says:

Idemo Nole


Daniel Says:

Damm, Thiem beating Kei 6-1. Looks like Kei string of bad sets continue.

If Thiem keeps going and win in 2, Fed needs only a set to qualify. Beats Anderson and qualify first this group.


Gannu Says:

Daniel

Even if fed loses in straight sets against anderson it is fine as long as he keeps it close. Ssy 75 76. . So by percentage of games won federer will qualify

That is the least federer could do to be honest and if he cant do he better go home deservedly


FedExpress Says:

Daniel, Federer has only to win 5 games. Only 5 games to qualify. If he cant do that then I dont know. And Fed rarely loses that heavely.


RZ Says:

Fed should be motivated to finish first in the group. Otherwise most likely he would have to pay Djokovic in the semis.


Margot Says:

There’ve been some very one sided, non competitive matches. One of the reasons I’ve stopped going, plus it’s very expensive. You want to see exciting matches, not whitewashes.


Humble Rafa Says:

I hope other countries can produce good players. Two South African players on court at the moment.


J-Kath Says:

Margot: Absolutely. Never been – but, if by some small miracle Andy makes it there next year, I’m going.


J-Kath Says:

Humble Rafa: Yep, a slight stretch but certainly is close….


FedExpress Says:

So fed up a break

serving for a place into the semis


FedExpress Says:

what was that? holy shiiit


FedExpress Says:

Fed breaks again

will serve for the set


Daniel Says:

Great hold from 0-40 down. Almost 4 straight breaks. 1st set in the bag, 1 more and he gets 1st in his group and most likely avoid Djoko in semis.


FedExpress Says:

Nole in finals more dangerous.

Last time Fed won a final vs Nole?
2015 cincy?


FedExpress Says:

victoryyyy


Daniel Says:

Great win. if he keeps this play definitely has a shot at the title.


chico Says:

Great result from the old man ;), was clearly seeing the ball well.

A bit surprized with the Thiem-Kei result.. did not see it. Kei came out flat as against Anderson or Thiem lifted?


J-Kath Says:

Chico: Kei bad – Thiem better – but????? Neither up to the quality one expects of top 8 players.


chris ford1 Says:

I thought Anderson was going to win, but if it looks like it is to be Novak on the other side winning, Sasha 2nd, Sasha gets Fed. it’s not as good as a guaranteed Fed-Novak semi, but it probably helps one of those guys odds of winning everything. They don’t deplete each other like the Fed-Novak semis match in Paris left a gassed Djokovic not at his best facing Khachanov.
A semi was preferred by me just because there may not be too many more Fed-Djokovic faceoffs, and certain odds are laid in London that a Fed-Novak Final has a 65% chance of happening. By no means certain.

But if it does end up the 2 Legends, it will be a very high stakes Final.

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