WTFwatch: Group A first round preview
Roger Federer
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Andy Murray (4) vs Juan Martin del Potro (5)
Sunday November 22, 14:15
Head to head: Murray 4-1 del Potro
Sunday’s opening singles session pits the home favourite against the ATP tour’s latest hot shot as the boy from Dunblane faces off against the tower of Tandil. With del Potro still fresh from clinching his first major title – a feat the Scot has yet to accomplish – perhaps there will be a glint of envy in the eye when Murray walks out alongside the US Open champion amid the roar of 18,000 fans in Greenwich.
Murray has always maintained that the hard courts and vibrant atmosphere of Flushing Meadows provide his best chance of Grand Slam glory. And on a court sure to have a similar feel to the highly charged atmosphere that resonates around Flushing Meadows, the world No.4 will be determined to stake his claim to be king of the prestigious end of year event with a win against the young Argentine.
“The O2 arena is pretty amazing,” Murray said of the ATP World Tour Finals venue, “There’s a great atmosphere and with the quality of players it should make for a great occasion.”
Despite del Potro’s recent ‘triumph of all triumphs’ on the quick, high-bouncing hard courts in Flushing Meadows, Murray has only ever been on the losing side to the Argentine on clay. Rapid improvements to del Potro’s overall game, however, mean that Sunday is sure to be the closest clash between the two to date, and Murray will have to be at his counter-punching best to force the US Open champion – who could potentially overtake the Scot in the rankings if results in London go his way – on the back foot.
With a history both on court and off – lets not forget the pair trading barbs between changeovers at the 2008 Rome Masters (del Potro striking a ball in the direction of the Scot, before an affronted Murray took exception to a del Potro comment that referred to his mother, Judy) – we can expect to be dazzled by fireworks in this one.
Our prediction: Murray to bring the house, and del Potro, down in two.
Roger Federer (1) vs Fernando Verdasco (7)
Start: Sunday November 22, 20:45
Head to head: Federer 3-0 Verdasco
The four-time champion begins his World Tour Finals campaign against one of just two men featuring in the tournament for the first time.
Without achieving an entirely convincing entry into the year-ending showpiece after relying on the results of Robin Soderling and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga at this month’s Paris Masters, Fernando Verdasco remains a worthy member of the world’s top eight. Reaching a career high-ranking of No. 7 in April after an extraordinary run to the semi-finals at the Australian Open, the 26 year old kicks off his World Tour Finals debut with a fourth career meeting against the imperious Roger Federer.
Despite failing to take so much as a set off Federer in any of their previous ties, Verdasco remains a danger, particularly considering his hard court showing in 2009, coupled with suggestions that his extremely well decorated opponent is far from his domineering best.
Federer’s loss to Frenchman Jullien Benneteau in his first match in Paris followed defeat to Novak Djokovic in the final of his hometown tournament in Basel, Switzerland. “I definitely had chances. I missed them”, was Federer’s uncharacteristic response in the aftermath of the second round Paris defeat.
“Seems to happen a bit to me now,” he continued. “Looking back at the Basel final or the U.S. Open final, I just have to make sure I don’t let chances go by like this all the time.”
Despite whispers that chinks in the armour are starting to show after recent failures in significant finals, the ‘big matches’ remain Federer’s forte.
With the additional motivation of knowing that three wins would be enough to secure the year-end No.1 ranking, few would bet against the Fed-express dispatching Verdasco with consummate ease.
Our prediction: Federer to take it in three, overcoming a spirited early challenge from the Spaniard.
Sunday’s doubles:
12:30 [1] D Nestor (CAN) & N Zimonjic (SRB) vs [8] M Fyrstenberg (POL) & M Matkowski (POL)
19:00 [3] M Bhupathi (IND) & M Knowles (BAH) vs [5] F Cermak (CZE) & M Mertinak (SVK)
