If everyone–specifically Rafael Nadal–is healthy, the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals should be one of the most entertaining year-end championships in recent memory. It marks the first time since 2015 that three of the Big 4 (or all of the Big 3 if you want to look at it that way) are participating.
Nadal heads to London after an abdominal injury forced him to withdraw from a Paris Masters semifinal against Denis Shapovalov. But there is plenty of good news for the Spaniard; he is now the world No. 1 and therefore the top seed at this event, and he avoided Roger Federer in his round-robin group–which would not be a favorable matchup on an indoor hard court. That’s not to say Group A is easy. Daniil Medvedev has been the hottest player on tour since the start of the summer, Stefanos Tsitsipas owns a 13-5 record this fall, and Alexander Zverev is the defending champion.
“I’m happy about [being talked about as the main challenger to the top players] because my results make people talk in this way,” Medvedev explained. “The most important (thing) is going to be continuing these results, this game that I’m showing, because the moment I drop, people forget good things quite fast. So I know that, and I want to work and improve every day.”
Both Medvedev and Tsitsipas are in stellar form right now and Zverev lifted the London trophy in 2018. Thus it is not going to be easy for Nadal–who has never won the year-end championship–even if he is 100 percent.
Whereas Group A appears to be somewhat up for grabs, Federer and Novak Djokovic are obvious favorites in Group B. The challengers are French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem and U.S. Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini. Thiem is making his fourth trip to the O2 Arena and seeks his first semifinal qualification, while Berrettini booked a debut London appearance in improbable fashion. The 23-year-old Italian’s career-high ranking was 52nd prior to this season.
“I know that I am not a favorite, but I am very motivated to do well and give it all,” Berrettini commented. “For months I could not even dream of qualifying so I did not give up anything now. I think I am still not fully aware of what I have achieved by qualifying for this tournament.”
Berrettini has struggled since his New York breakthrough and just barely snagged the last London spot when Gael Monfils lost in the Paris quarterfinals. It is Thiem who has the better chance of pulling off an upset, as he is an impressive 7-8 lifetime against Djokovic and Federer combined. Even though the Austrian has improved on hard courts, however, he remains a clear underdog indoors against the two all-time greats.
Group A
Rafael Nadal
Daniil Medvedev
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Alexander Zverev
Group B
Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer
Dominic Thiem
Matteo Berrettini
Round-robin predictions:
Group A
Nadal over Zverev in 2
Medvedev over Tsitsipas in 2
Tsitsipas over Zverev in 3
Medvedev over Nadal in 3
Medvedev over Zverev in 2
Nadal over Tsitsipas in 3
Group B
Djokovic over Berrettini in 2
Federer over Thiem in 2
Thiem over Berrettini in 3
Djokovic over Federer in 2
Federer over Berrettini in 2
Thiem over Djokovic in 3
Semifinals: Federer over Medvedev in 3, Djokovic over Nadal in 2
Final: Djokovic over Federer in 3
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who ya got?
Hey Ricky,
Hope this prediction of group B from your side is not a mistake 😉
Thiem over Djokovic in 3.
Surely Djoko in 2 no ? (Rafa style no?” 😉 )
Djokovic has already clinched when he plays against Thiem
So as per Ricky..anoint djoko world no 1 year end right now 🙂 ..poor Rafa
not if Rafa wins two matches I don’t think
That’s not right. Rafa needs to win all 3 RR matches or make the finals to lock in No.1
I have Djoker losing a round robin match
Even then if djoko loses a rr n Rafa wins 2 rr, still if djoko wins semi n final, he locks no 1 if Rafa falls at SF
If rafa’s is fully fit, he will win all 3 RR matches.
But, its hard to see him beating Fed or Djokovic in this tourney.
Rafa beat Federer the last time they played at the O2 and he is 2:3 against Djokovic, so it’s not impossible.
Good thinking Ricky.
Tend to agree with you 👍👌
Ricky do you have a pick for the doubles?
I know Herbert/Mahu are favourites for the title.
Yes ,could we have some doubles predictions please?
If the match against Berretini is any indicator, Djoko is super pumped to take the no.1 ranking back. Djoko- Federer match will provide a clearer indicator. Djoker seems abasolutely dialled in.. A bagel coming it looks like that too against a server like Berretini
That first set was a ballsy drubbing – Nole going after Matts forehand. But Barretini did get going a little in the second set. I imagine Matteo will improve next time he meets Nole. That Italian is going to learn quick, I reckon.
Bravo Nole!
Berrettini is simply too one dimensional, just a big serve and not much else! He doesn’t move well, has a bad DHBH, a big FH but doesn’t know how to use it to his full advantage, could do a bit of net rushing but is error prone when he’s there if he’s being rushed.
Djoko just made him stayed at the baseline to rally, Berrettini would bound to make mistakes! I do feel if it’s Monfils who qualified, he would put up a better fight, more entertaining at least even though he would still lose (Monfils didn’t even win a match against Djoko after >10 tries!).
Berrettini perhaps is too inexperienced at WTF, first time qualifying. I think he’ll lose all his RR matches here most likely.
It will be interesting to see how he responds. At his best, or more confident than that performance – I’ve seen Berrettini play much more aggressive (at least he could have served better!) I hope Matteo can win a RR match. Charming smile he has 😀
Berrettini had a drubbing from Fed at Wimbledon. I think that was the first time I saw him play. The commentators were talking him up before the match. But Berrettini was humiliated. I think the score was something like 6-1, 6-1, 6-0.
It appears that he suffered another lopsided loss to Novak. But I think he will learn from these defeats and hopefully get better. Novak has too many weapons and Berrettini seemed overwhelmed.
what are the matches on tuesday for this group now? Djoko Fed or Djoko Thiem?
Djoko Thiem n fed berretini Tuesday n djoko fed on Thursday
Fed has to win both his next matches unless Thiem loses to berretini