The Class of 2010
L-R: Andy, Tomas, Novak, Rafael, Roger, Robin, Andy and David.
Round robin play begins tomorrow with 2 matches a day until the Sf's.
Group A: Rafael, Novak, Tomas, A-Rod
Group B: Roger, Robin, A-Mur, David
*** The Players***
RAFAEL NADAL
Ranking: 1
Previous best was a pair of Sf showings in '06 & '07.
Rafa's had one of the all-time great seasons. 7 titles including last 3 Slams.
The year-end title is about the only title missing from his resume.
Rafa would be the 1st to tell you that the O2 courts don't suit him tho...
ROGER FEDERER
Ranking: 2
Roger has won this title 4 times: '03, '04, '06, '07.
Roger won 4 titles & became 1st player to win a title at each level in one year.
Slam: Aussie Open; MS 1000: Cincinnati; ATP 500: Basel; ATP 250: Stockholm
If all of the above is called 'slipping' or 'getting old' - people need to get a grip.
He's had a pretty similar year to '03 - and he was the second coming then...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Ranking: 3
He won this title in 2008 - when it was played in Shanghai.
Novak had a rough start to the season but finished pretty strong.
2 titles (Dubai & Beijing) and a runner-up finish at the US Open.
His Sf win at the Open is easily one of the matches of the year.
He was also on the losing end of some great matches too. Melzer anybody?
ROBIN SODERLING
Ranking: 4
His previous best was a Sf showing in his first appearance last year.
Robin just snuck in and stole that #4 ranking in the last couple weeks.
It'll be up for grabs as he & Murray battle for it as the week unfolds.
Many believe Robin is a Slammer-in-the-making. Will 2011 be his year?
ANDY MURRAY
Ranking: 5
Andy makes his 3rd appearance at the WTFs - he was a Sfist in '08.
As with Wimby - will the hometown pressure hurt him at this tourney too?
Maybe wait until Istanbul? But it seems Andy is due a victory in London...
TOMAS BERYCH
Ranking: 6
Tomas is making his debut at the WTFs.
Tomas had a career year - no titles but final at Wimby & Sfs at RG.
He had such a terrific spring/summer. He kinda petered out after W tho.
DAVID FERRER
Ranking: 7
This is David's 2nd trip to the WTF's. Remember he was runner-up in '07.
David put together some great results in '10: 2 titles, 5 finals, 11 Sfs.
You read that right: 11 semifinals this season.
Now if only he had done better at the Slams: not a single quarterfinal.
I'm very curious/eager to follow his results next year.
ANDY RODDICK
Ranking: 8
This is the 8th straight year Andy's qualified. He was a Sfist in '03, '04, '07.
He basically earned his place on the back of a stellar March.
He was the runner-up in Indian Wells and champion in Miami.
I think Andy would agree that injury & illness this year mucked things up.
Major props: Andy has remained the top ranked American.
And I have a feeling that won't change in 2011. Sorry Sam. Sorry John.
Photos: Getty Images
Rafael Nadal Wins 2nd Match at ATP World Tour Finals in London
ATP World Tour Finals - Group A Round Robin
1 Rafael Nadal d 3 Novak Djokovic - 75 62
One word sums up this one: Lasix. Shall I make you an appointment Novak?
I mean, at one point I thought an eye-chart was gonna get wheeled on court.
I love how Novak makes me laugh. And that's sincere folks.
Novak said: From 5-5 I couldn't play... Playing with 1 eye is not enough.
Back to Rafa - this win pretty much locks up a 3rd Sf showing at the WTF's.
Well, until Lens-gate at the end of the 1st set - this was highly entertaining.
After 23 matches this has become a great rivalry as Rafa goes ahead: 16-7.
Maybe they'll play one more this weekend?
Photos: Getty Images
Posted at 05:40 PM in Commentary, Mens Tennis, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, World Tour Finals | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: ATP, ATP World Tour Finals, Men's Tennis, Novak Djokovic, O2, Rafael Nadal
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