Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 2014

[Kieran]

I'm faster than a Sampras serve, Billie. :snigger

Obvious matches of interest are Djoker-Stan, their first tussle since Oz, I think, and Federer against Raonic, who gets a chance to prove the win last week wasn't just a statistical anomaly. Berdych has been owned by Cilic of late, the last two slams saw him go down in flames, and of course, Murray returns to London, and he should be fresh after his red-eye antics to get there.

I fancy Murray, somehow, to be a good outside bet in all this. I asked the question a few weeks ago, when he was struggling to get through those mini-events, but I think he has a real shot this year...

 

[Billie]

Can I just ask you Kieran: please to not jinx "some" players here? You can "others", if you will.:cover

 

[Kieran]

Can I just ask you Kieran: please to not jinx "some" players here? You can "others", if you will.:cover

What's it worth to ya?

 

[Billie]

Can I just ask you Kieran: please to not jinx "some" players here? You can "others", if you will.:cover

What's it worth to ya?

100s of likes, hugs, hearts, etc...:blush:

 

[Kieran]

Can I just ask you Kieran: please to not jinx "some" players here? You can "others", if you will.:cover

What's it worth to ya?

100s of likes, hugs, hearts, etc...:blush:

Go on then, but only cos it's you! I'm not hugging Denis though... :gross:

 

[Billie]

Deal!:heart::hug:heart:lot

 

[Denis]

I'd say Roger's group is tougher with both Nishikori and Murray in it.

I like it though! Looking forward to this one.

 

[Denis]

I'm faster than a Sampras serve, Billie. :snigger

Obvious matches of interest are Djoker-Stan, their first tussle since Oz, I think, and Federer against Raonic, who gets a chance to prove the win last week wasn't just a statistical anomaly. Berdych has been owned by Cilic of late, the last two slams saw him go down in flames, and of course, Murray returns to London, and he should be fresh after his red-eye antics to get there.

I fancy Murray, somehow, to be a good outside bet in all this. I asked the question a few weeks ago, when he was struggling to get through those mini-events, but I think he has a real shot this year...

Think it could go either way with Murray. He is long due for a good performance at the WTF and has a good record against the Fedster. At the same time, he's in a tough group and has had to do a lot to get here.

 

[lacatch]

I think on this surface, Roger has nothing to worry about with Murray (who's just starting to round into form but is exhausted). Nishikori will be more of a challenge, but we'll have to see what kind of shape he's in. If Roger plays super aggressively--he can beat anyone in his group.

 

[Billie]

I'd say Roger's group is tougher with both Nishikori and Murray in it.

I like it though! Looking forward to this one.

Finally Andy not in Nole's draw. I hope he can tire Federer out, if not win against him.

 

[Denis]

I'd say Roger's group is tougher with both Nishikori and Murray in it.

I like it though! Looking forward to this one.

Finally Andy not in Nole's draw. I hope he can tire Federer out, if not win against him.

Yes, that was becoming a bit awkward. Personally I am very happy Nishikori is not in Novak's group so I have my favorites nicely divided over the two groups.

 

[Denis]

Can I just ask you Kieran: please to not jinx "some" players here? You can "others", if you will.:cover

What's it worth to ya?

100s of likes, hugs, hearts, etc...:blush:

Go on then, but only cos it's you! I'm not hugging Denis though... :gross:

No worries, I'll just chip in some distant likes free of charge

 

[Federberg]

"If I go, it is because I deserved to be there, not hope someone gets hurt so I get to play," he told L'Equipe. "So no, I don't think it's my thing."

Very poor from Dimitrov. It is unlikely he would get to play BUT it's ONE week. He experiences the event and he hits with the best 8 players in the world. I can't say I'm too impressed with his attitude.

I really don't see why. This reminds me of Novak pulling out of a Wimbledon semi (?) years ago. He was accused of arrogance, and short changing fans. He clearly had bigger ambitions than getting tuned in a big match when he wasn't physically ok. In this case, Dimi just feels like something like this is beneath him. I think it's encouraging that he's arrogant enough to think he can and should do better!

 

[Federberg]

I think on this surface, Roger has nothing to worry about with Murray (who's just starting to round into form but is exhausted). Nishikori will be more of a challenge, but we'll have to see what kind of shape he's in. If Roger plays super aggressively--he can beat anyone in his group.

He'll certainly earn his semi-final spot if he gets it. I'm tempted to say the Murray match is the one I'm most confident of him winning :snigger

 

[Billie]

"If I go, it is because I deserved to be there, not hope someone gets hurt so I get to play," he told L'Equipe. "So no, I don't think it's my thing."

Very poor from Dimitrov. It is unlikely he would get to play BUT it's ONE week. He experiences the event and he hits with the best 8 players in the world. I can't say I'm too impressed with his attitude.

I really don't see why. This reminds me of Novak pulling out of a Wimbledon semi (?) years ago. He was accused of arrogance, and short changing fans. He clearly had bigger ambitions than getting tuned in a big match when he wasn't physically ok. In this case, Dimi just feels like something like this is beneath him. I think it's encouraging that he's arrogant enough to think he can and should do better!

Nole didn't pull out of Wimbledon semi, he retired in the 3rd set after he could not walk anymore. You can read about it and how awful his injury was in Chris Bowers' book that I already mentioned it on the other thread.

Dimitrov is healthy and just plainly refuses to be a replacement for somebody. Big differences.:exclamation:

 

[Kieran]

Here are the H2H's:

Group A:

Djokovic leads Wawrinka 15-3 (including victory for Djokovic last year at London, 6-3, 6-3).

Djokovic leads Berdych 16-2 (including victories for Djokovic in London in 2010, 2011 and 2012).

Djokovic leads Cilic 10-0.

Wawrinka leads Berdych 9-5 (including victory for Wawrinka last year in London, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3).

Wawrinka leads Cilic 7-2

Berdych leads Cilic 5-4.


Group B:

Federer and Nishikori tied at 2-2

Federer and Murray tied at 11-11 (includes victories for Federer in London in 2009, 2010, 2012)

Federer leads Raonic 6-1.

Murray leads Nishikori 3-0.

Raonic leads Murray 3-1.

Nishikori leads Raonic 4-1.

 

[Federberg]

"If I go, it is because I deserved to be there, not hope someone gets hurt so I get to play," he told L'Equipe. "So no, I don't think it's my thing."

Very poor from Dimitrov. It is unlikely he would get to play BUT it's ONE week. He experiences the event and he hits with the best 8 players in the world. I can't say I'm too impressed with his attitude.

I really don't see why. This reminds me of Novak pulling out of a Wimbledon semi (?) years ago. He was accused of arrogance, and short changing fans. He clearly had bigger ambitions than getting tuned in a big match when he wasn't physically ok. In this case, Dimi just feels like something like this is beneath him. I think it's encouraging that he's arrogant enough to think he can and should do better!

Nole didn't pull out of Wimbledon semi, he retired in the 3rd set after he could not walk anymore. You can read about it and how awful his injury was in Chris Bowers' book that I already mentioned it on the other thread.

Dimitrov is healthy and just plainly refuses to be a replacement for somebody. Big differences.:exclamation:

I put a (?) because I knew I could quite recall the specifics. Well received though!

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Thanks for the breakdown Kieran.

I think Cilic will improve on his h2h against a couple of players.

Kei-Milos matches have been entertaining recently. I am looking forward to that one.

For some reason I am not too confident about Roger's chances here. I know he had a good run till Paris, but I can see Kei and Murray beating him. I hope I am totally off.

Stan looks like his in another world... I have no idea how he will perform. 0-3 would not surprise me one bit.

 

[Denis]

Here are the H2H's:

Group A:

Djokovic leads Wawrinka 15-3 (including victory for Djokovic last year at London, 6-3, 6-3).

Djokovic leads Berdych 16-2 (including victories for Djokovic in London in 2010, 2011 and 2012).

Djokovic leads Cilic 10-0.

Wawrinka leads Berdych 9-5 (including victory for Wawrinka last year in London, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3).

Wawrinka leads Cilic 7-2

Berdych leads Cilic 5-4.


Group B:

Federer and Nishikori tied at 2-2

Federer and Murray tied at 11-11 (includes victories for Federer in London in 2009, 2010, 2012)

Federer leads Raonic 6-1.

Murray leads Nishikori 3-0.

Raonic leads Murray 3-1.

Nishikori leads Raonic 4-1.

Thanks Kieran. On the basis of the h2h, the first group is pretty clear (Novak, Stan) with the second group being a tossup for the no 2 spot (after Federer). Don't expect Stan to do too well this time though.

 

[Kieran]

Yeah, Novak basically owns his group - although he has lost to Stan in their last encounter, which was quite a biggie.

Then Stan is the next strongest and Cilic the weakest (going by the unscientific method of comparing H2H's) but I agree, Murat, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Cilic go through and Stan post a chubby ZERO.

Group B is more interesting because Fed has 2 guys he's tied with - and then Raonic, who beat him in Bercy. The rest of the group is tangled: Murray leads Nishi, Nishi leads Raonic, Raonic leads Murray.

These may not be telling in London, but there you have it...