Roger Federer is already through to the World Tour Finals semis regardless of Thursday’s round-robin outcome against Kei Nishikori. For Nishikori, who is 1-1 through two matches, a win is absolutely essential to his tournament hopes.
Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori will be squaring of for sixth time in their careers and for the first time since this same tournament last year when they clash on the final day of round-robin action at the World Tour Finals on Thursday afternoon.
Federer is leading the head-to-head series 3-2 after getting the best of Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 at the O2 in 2014. The 34-year-old Swiss has won two of their three previous hard-court meetings, including two of two indoors. He also prevailed 6-1, 6-3 in front of his home fans in the 2011 Basel final. Nishikori pulled off upsets on the clay courts of Madrid in 2013 and one season later on hards in Miami.
The world No. 8 will have everything to play for in this one, even though he also needs some help from Tomas Berdych later in the day in order to reach the semifinals. Nishikori wins the group if he upsets Federer and Berdych stuns Djokovic.
After getting double-breadsticked 6-1, 6-1 by the world No. 1 on Sunday, Nishikori righted the ship two days later. Japan’s top player held off Berdych 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to keep his hopes alive. The back-injury concerns and horrendous serving that plagued him against Djokovic were things of the past.
Federer–not Djokovic–has been the class of the tournament so far. The 34-year-old opened by hammering Berdych 6-4, 6-2 before upsetting the 10-time major champion 7-5, 6-2 on Tuesday night. Thus Federer has already clinched a semifinal spot regardless of what transpires on Thursday.
That will give Federer an opportunity to work on whatever he wants to involving his game, which almost certainly means a handful of SABRs will be on display. The showdown should be more competitive than it looks on paper because Nishikori will be inspired while Federer may be holding just a little bit back. Once it nears the finish line, though, the six-time World Tour Finals champion will be motivated by ranking points, prize money, and quite simply another win.
Pick: Federer in 3
[polldaddy poll=9185607]
Fed in 2.
#NID
I am surprised Ricky predicts Fed in 3? Why would he allow himself torture of playing three sets if he can win in 2?
I agree with Majesty (his expertise though limited on picks not involving Rafa). Fed in 2 (although I would really love Nishi to beat Swiss Maestro this time…)
Tell me about it lmao. Why would he put himself thru that haha
Ricky predicted Murray over Rafa in 3………..nuff said.
I prefer Maestro although Majesty is ok too.
If I call you Maestro people may confuse you with Fed…”Majesty” suits you well… 🙂
How about Lord and Majesty then.
so, the two guys into the semi-finals are the “old guy” who gets asked all the time.”When are you going to retire?” and the Spanish guy who everyone asks all the time, “When are you getting a new coach/”. Love it!
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
So if Fed wins in 3 and Nole in 2 does that mean Nole wins the group and forces Rafa to play Roger in the SF?
Jeu Nadal (at 5:08 am),
There is no scenario for Djoko to win the Group. [Source: ATP]
How can that be? Fed wins all three RR and Novak only two when he beats Berdych, so Novak would still be no.2 in the group.
luckystar says:
November 19, 2015 at 5:53 am
“How can that be? Fed wins all three RR and Novak only two WHEN he beats Berdych, so Novak would still be no.2 in the group.”
********************************
‘IF’ …..nothing should be taken for granted.
Ricky, it’s Rafa who has been the star of the show so far because he has lost the least games – 10 to Federer’s 13.
It has to be Roger, no.
Beating the invincible no.1 guy 🙂
It’s Roger regardless. Anywhere, anytime outside Serbia, Spain and London Olympics.
Hope this helps!
Only if Novak had beaten Fed yesterday. Don’t fancy Rafa playing Novak, he can handle Fed better on indoor and make it athletic and since this court is playing slower, Fed cannot hit aggressively like he does indoor.
Rafa still has done well beating No 2 & 4 in great fashion .
Can Rafa tank the match against Ferrer? :-). If Rafa loses to Ferrer, will he still top?
Rafa can beat Novak, as long as he serves well and not missing much. He looks fitter than Novak is now, Novak has been playing lots of tennis. Novak didnt look sharp vs Fed, as long as Rafa moves inside the court and plays aggressive tennis mixing in some varieties, he will have chances of winning. He has to play smart, not trying to over power Novak – play something like he did vs Murray (of course with better serving); not something like at Beijing (where he tried to outhit Novak but failed).
fed is being out-hit by nishi..nishi breaks twice in a row…
fed is only winning points on great serves
expected
fed breaks back..partly because nishi went off the boil/tightened up..
Love Kei’s tennis when he’s healthy.
yes!! would love him to win…got a bit tight to get broken back
Hope Kei can get 2nd set! Love his footwork, backhand, smart tennis – patient, disciplined and gets the most out of what he’s got. Maybe as he gets older he’ll be less vulnerable to injury? Not sure.
What am I saying? He’s still got a chance for the 1st set.
he hasn’t lost the first set yet! serving to take it to a tie-breaker…
his forehand has improved so much but is hard to see how he can cope with being so vulnerable to injury
it was actually his backhand which was misfiring early this set…
normally, would fully agree with you, amy. But thinking about Nole.. 😉
Doesn’t it help Nole if Fed wins?
Brilliant point. Great tennis!
oh no!! and kei played some great points..
does it help nole?? he is my second fave……i don’t want him to play rafa though…want rafa to play fed..
Rafa is playing Djoker
even if nishi beats fed???
lol, I know what the Rafa fans want. Fed is flying high after the win over #1. Keep fighting Kei! If Fed gives Kei an inch, and Kei can take the this set, Kei is exceptional in deciding sets…pretty sure Fed would know that, though.
ratcliff…i am one of the VERY few people here who likes both rafa and nole…altho rafa is my fave….
really hope that kei can grab a set…
have to say that this fed looks pretty beatable…not by kei but certainly by rafa or nole…
this match doesnt matter. Nothing to base future predictions on.
probably….
goodnight sweetheart now as fed breaks…
what’s with all the designer stubble BTW?? is fed going for a new rugged macho look??
Makes him look even more older.
Me too, I like Rafa. Also like Fed. Will defend any or laugh at them when they’re ridiculous – like towel-gate or what have you. Fed’s keeping the scruffy bad boy look 😀
Kei is a favorite. I’ll cheer for him over
Nole, Rafa, Federer, depending. But..Fed is being Fed. Poor Kei :/
Amy, Fed came out a bit slow, it seemed, then got into gear when he realized Kei was going to play sharp. Come on Kei!!
gr8 break from kei..!!
Aw, wanted Kei to win that set.
so is there no way that nole can top the group??
Not sure, amy. Think I’ve read that there’s a chance but the format shell game info doesn’t stay in my poor brain.
i can’t understand it either ratcliff…maths not my strong point…
Amy don’t go away! This is good.
another great break…!! what was that miss from fed with an open court??!!
Fed’s in trouble if Kei can get this set..
Love, love, love it…Kei has no fear!
set. Congrats to me!
Hahaha
YES!!!! going 3 now…
amy, by design.
ratcliff, no.
who’s gonna win the 3rd set ricky???
Congrats to “flipa”.
But fed is tanking.
hawks….you think so?? doesn’t look like it….
Novak will be rooting for Fed to make sure he progresses to the SF.
Nole can’t top the group.
This is the only way that Fed won’t top the group.
Regardless of score, if T. BERDYCH defeats N. DJOKOVIC and K. NISHIKORI defeats R. FEDERER, then K. NISHIKORI wins the group and R. FEDERER qualifies 2nd.
Thank you very much, Hawkey. I needed that right now.
Sounds like the way Agnieszka Radwanska came from behind and won Singapore this year!
Kei is still fighting…good for him…one must appreciate his effort…and Fed seems to be thinking more about the semis and the hot bath than beating Nishi…
Go NISHI! GO!
Kei breaks.
Fed is in tank mode to give Berdych a chance of eliminating Djokovic.
I think Berdy will have millions of people supporting him tonight…Rafans all over the world will affectively be cheering for him!
Vamos Berdych!
In Tomas we believe! 🙂
Fed fans too.
But only if Fed loses.
Beautiful BH DTL from Nishi for 2 set pts
Fed fakes a poor drop shot to “lose” the set.
The Federer excuses have been launched. According to Marcus Buckland he’s got a cold so he is trying to rush things to get off the court quickly.
Everybody other than Rafa has excuses.
Rafa has injuries, either mental or physical, not excuses.
Tanky McTank.
No tank you very much.
To what were you telling me NO, Hawkey?
Win or lose fed not in trouble
Sorry Hawk, can’t help cheering for Kei over Federer. If Kei wins this, which doesn’t look likely atm, Nole will be out of Semi’s if he doesn’t beat Berdych? That’s not what I want!
So, help me again Hawkey please. If Nishikori does pull off the win, can Nole still make the semi’s if he beats Berdych? Getting Nervous!
If fed loses this does he still have shot at year end number 2?
no he has to win
WTF Fed got broken back to back then lose second set
gave back breaks in all three sets!
Kei can be an amazing shot-maker. Fed gets the break!
yeah…did you hear the fed f-bomb?!! he’s making a lot of noise for a man who is supposed to be tanking…
Yeah…hahaha
Can it be proven that Fed is tanking? If so, he should be disciplined
the serves are getting broken as if it’s a clay court match. Anyway Fed will win
SABR!! first one…
YES!! kei breaks…
??? what is this? why is Fed losing his serve again? It makes no sense…DFs?? strange…
I don’t think Fed is tanking the match…it’s Nishi who just wouldn’t go away…
I’m going to whisper my question very quietly. What happens if Nishi ends up winning this match? Who’s in and who’s out?
Fed has already qualified. Berdych is out.
Nishikori is still out
wow. amazing point from Kei…
ed,
You just asked the question I wanted to ask. I just turned on the match and found out what I have been missing. This is really something!
Fed is not tanking! Why would he?
What I want to know is, where was this Kei against Novak?
not there
Kei wasn’t match when he played Djoko in the first RR that’s why he lost so easily. Djoko didn’t have to do much.
Yep.
Pretty much like Stan wasn’t match against Rafa. Rafa didn’t had to do much.
abhirf.
Yes, I agree with you about Stan against Rafa. Although that is not a popular opinion here!
It’s not that I’m discrediting Rafa. He was pretty consistent in that match, but Wawa didn’t really test him much. Wawa was pulling the trigger far too early that night.
When Wawa wants to play, he doesn’t shy away from long rallies. Rather, he embraces it. It was clearly not the scenario that day.
Rafa played with much more authority against Murray yesterday. Though, he will really need to rep up his serve if he faces Nole in the semi. Nole will not spare such a serving performance.
abhirf is being consistent and reasonably objective unlike some Rafans here.
abhirf, as some other people here, sees what he wants to see…
Wawa was pushed 3m behind the baseline and couldn’t play his game…he is no defender, he can only beat Rafa when Rafa plays crappy defensive tennis…this time around Rafa did not indulge him with it…
sorry to jump in…couldn’t resist… 🙂
@nats,
Wawa not a defender!
Are you kidding me?
Looks like you haven’t really seen him play much then. He does defends a lot when he needs it.
That’s the interesting facet of his game : the ease with which he generates tremendous power even after standing so far from the baseline.
@ abhirf, 5:42
It’s not only me thinking that…tennis channel commies where saying the same thing…as I said, you see what you want to see…
nats, many here don’t put a lot of faith in what commies say about Rafa and Fed but now we are supposed to believe what they say about The Sulker?
One might say you hear what you want to hear, no? 🙂
Wawrinka IS a good defender.
Wawrinka IS a relatively poor indoor player. Worst career record in the Top 8 at just over 50%.
Majesty says abhirf is right.
@ hawkee 6:18 pm,
weren’t you the one saying those commies, i.e. so called experts must be trusted? You quoted a lot of them…why the shift now? The Majesty will lose the title soon if continuing this way…
Wawa is good as long as he can position himself for attacking tennis…if he is pushed behind the baseline with heavy top spins he is done and dusted…ask Rafa about it… 🙂
His indoor record speaks for itself.
and then amazing volley by Fed…
abhirf,
Oh I agree absolutely about Rafa! I think he played very well and also smart in that match. That wasn’t Stan even close to his best and the stats bear that out. I think you are correct about Stan pulling the trigger too early, but I also believe that at times he seemed to mentally check out in that match.
Rafa did play so much better against Murray. Great stuff from Rafa in that one! I don’t think there is any disagreement about Rafa’s serve. That’s going to have to improve if he wants to beat Novak. He’s got too good of a ROS, putting so much pressure on his opponents.
hahaha…Nole’s fans cheering for Fed now…
Courier just said he thinks Kei is going to hand this match to Fed.
Fed wins! Good match!
Allez Fed!
I repeat my earlier posting…
This is the only way that Fed won’t top the group.
Regardless of score, if T. BERDYCH defeats N. DJOKOVIC and K. NISHIKORI defeats R. FEDERER, then K. NISHIKORI wins the group and R. FEDERER qualifies 2nd.
It’s okay now.
So Novak has to beat Berdy and he will be #2 for his group and in the semis.
no, it’s enough for Novak to win a set and he qualifies..
Fed wins. Nole is eliminated!!!
No he isn’t!
Nole has to beat Fed in the finals or he is eliminated.
(bad joke)
lol, it was my knee-jerk reaction because for this entire decider I was worried. Going back to sleep! Will be fully awake for Nole/Berdych…
Nole is not eliminated.
🙂 🙂
sad for kei!! he fought so hard and maybe should have won with all those break points…
So much for Fed tanking!
if fed was tanking he’s a great actor!! don’t think so…
He tanked the second set to play mind games with Nole.
#PlayoffBeard
is designer stubble hawkeye…drives women mad!
wow, what a match! Feel sorry for Nishi, though…he really did his all…
Congrats to Ricky for GREAT prediction!
Now we can hope for a Fedal final!!! Vamos Rafa!
if Rafa can beat Nole he sure will beat Fed…
#matchup issues..
hawkeye,
Is that a joke? I don’t think Fed tanks, nor do Novak, Murray or Rafa. Why would Fed want to be out on the court longer?
Nobody tanks at the WTF.
(Except for a certain crybaby.)
Kei looked exhausted at the end of the match.
hawkeye,
Oh, I get it! 🙂
Yes, Ricky got it spot on.
Glad that Roger got through his one average patchy match of the tournament.
On to the semis we go!
fed with beads of sweat on his face..very unusual…! he looks very disreputable with that not-so-designer stubble
The stubble acts as an insulator.
Fed looks adorable with his scruffy look!
I agree! Not a good look for the Fed!
flipa-dime-on is 5-4.
lol, they must have had fun when making these pernickety rules for this tournament..
It is great entertainment but not fit for ranking points.
ALLEZ!!! Now all that has to happen is Roger wins the tournament and Murray loses to Stan. Cmon Stan!
are you happy benny?? congrats in any case….wouldn’t be shocked if murray loses…
Haha yes I don’t dislike Murray but my favorite players are Stan and Roger.
well i think you can make a strong case for roger being more deserving of the number 2 spot than murray…he is more of a threat against nole for sure….
Fed will soon advertise the ultimate-stubble razor
how many more narrow shaves can he stand though..??
Won by a whisker.
In case you didn’t know…………..
A kiss without a beard is like boiled eggs without salt.
An old saying taught to me by my mother 🙂
Kei seems to have fitness issues most of the time. Its a 2 hours match and Kei looked so out of breath by the end of it. Its a pity, for he never gave up and fought to the very end but still came out short.
He has all the skills and great shot making but lacks fitness to go the distance when he has to.
That’s been Kei’s problem all throughout his career. The one thing that hold him back is fitness and being so injury prone. Didn’t he pull out of Paris?
Injury prone??
Where is Delpo?!!
#MissTheTowerOfTandil
Injury prone!
Where is Delpo?!
#MissTheTowerOfTandil
yeah i miss him too…congrats on fed’s win abhi…..!
abhirf ( at 4:42 pm),
Visit social media:
https://www.facebook.com/JuanMartinDelPotro.Ok/
I think Murray/Stan could go either way. They haven’t looked that great this week.
Roger lost focus. But got it done in the end. Court seems to be slow again, from what I gather. When will these people learn….
to do what?
To have a proportionate distribution of surface speeds.
to make it all about fed and his religious experience.
andrew sycophant castle was saying that when he watched fed he was forced (!) to press the pause button constantly to sit there gawping in wonder….
I believe that TennisFan thinks that all courts should be fast.
You make a much better job of that by being unusually obsessed with Fed. :p For a Nadal fan….heh.
Faster courts worked in the wooden racquet era but racquet and string technology was incompatible with fast courts and 80% fans largely tuned out.
Courts were homogenized prior to Fed and the Weak Era.
Hope this helps!
I don’t have much faith in Murray.
The guy seems like he has never seen or heard of attacking tennis.
I am glad that I don’t have to listen to this guy Castle! As it is, we have our tennis commentators who do the same thing when it comes to Fed. Some are worse than others. PMac comes to mind! Mary Carillo is not only a shameless Fed worshipper, but she’s also a pure Rafa hater. I cannot bear listening to that woman. Annacone does say great things about Fed, but he also praises Rafa a lot.
nny, yes it does get a bit much to say the least!
are you feeling better now?? i left you some messages a while back asking you but i don’t think you saw them…
maybe Fed and Andy could go for a joint venture marketing scheme … buy the ultimate-stubbler and get a free shear/trimmer kit
amy,
Sorry, but I didn’t see your messages or I would have responded. I would never ignore you! 🙂
Unfortunately, it’s not that much better. It’s been quite tough. I am not trying to be enigmatic or anything. I just don’t like to say too much here.
It’s my lower back. An old problem that has now come back but with some new problems. Yesterday was funny because I had to leave for physical therapy in the midst of Rafa’s match. So there I was following the score on my iPhone and I yelled out loud and everyone there heard me! I had to explain that I am a devout tennis fan and was following my favorite player, Rafa! My physical therapist was okay with it, but she did tell me that I had to put away my phone and focus on the therapy.. I just came home and watched the recording without knowing who won.
I think the best medicine is Rafa winning! 🙂
nny, oh dear, i am so sorry. of course i understand that you would not want to write too much here. i left messages because i was worried about you and am sorry that you are not better yet. am glad at least to catch up with you even if things are not as good as they could be.
rafa winning is a real tonic. i hadn’t seen him play in months so that i was amazed by the change and how good he was yesterday. i really think he is getting back to his best now and could challenge for the AO.
am so annoyed fed beat nole so that rafa has to play him! i would bet on rafa beating fed…
I dont think the court is slow. The problem for Fed is Kei. Kei played much more aggressive tennis than Novak did, his court position was even more aggressive than Novak’s.
Fed didnt serve well this match, he probably was more relaxed thinking Kei wasnt as tough an opponent as Novak and was taken by surprise how well Kei played.
That’s what I also thought about the match, luckystar. Normally would be bummed that Kei lost – I like his tennis a lot. But Nole needs to be in the semi’s, imo. He’s the perfect foil for Fed and Raf. Could help Rafa if he played Fed in a semi. Is that still possible?
ratcliff (at 5:21 pm),
It’s impossible.
and he only missed, what, ONE????
one what?
Just before the Djokovic encounter, Nadal fans were saying how Djokovic would have the advantage because the court looked slower. :p
Of course the sudden change in position when it comes to the surface speedcould also be because their guy managed to win the RR. Those posts I’m sure can be easily culled out.
Anyway, Roger has played some intelligent tennis. Not the best I’ve seen but good in terms of being mentally present barring that set and half versus Nishi.
The court IS slower.
I predicted Fed to beat Nole.
Indoors is for ping pong.
Roger (line any other player) looks the best when he plays weaker players.
Seems like you’re the one who brought up the court being slow; I dont see anyone else said anything about the court speed during this match. Its an exciting match and both players could hit winners all over the court and the match lasted about 2 hours for a 3 sets match, that means not too many long rallies, no indication that its a slow court.
It has nothing to do with Rafa winning the RR matches; Rafa used to win RR matches, since 2006 when he started playing at the YEC, when courts were quick at Shanghai; he also won matches at London whether the court there was quick or slow.
are you arguing that the court is fast?
Lucky doesn’t get it, misses the point and I suspect is arguing for the sake of argument but can believe what she wants (I think that’s everything she’s said about me unless I’ve forgotten something.).
The WTF court is relatively slow compared to a few years ago and not particularly low bounce.
It is slow
Hawkeye, Im answering TennisFan’s post, nothing to do with you!
No Ricky, not slow doesnt mean its fast; its just medium pace, not slow and not fast. Its certainly not fast like Dubai but its also not slow like IW/Miami.
I thought this court is supposed to be like Basel and Paris?
Its definitely slower than Miami
Luckystar ( at 6:36 pm),
Yep, I have repeated this several times:
The Paris Masters website: ¤¤ The BNP Paribas Masters is played on GreenSet – resin on wood – which is absolutely identical to the surface at the ATP World Tour Finals in London which will be held from 15 – 22 November 2015.¤¤
Everything has to do with Me for I am Lord Majesty, of all that is totally fair and objective here on Tenngrand.
Now you are intentionally nitpicking. We are talking slow for a hardcourt and slow compared to WTF being historically fast several years ago.
Paris has been slower the past couple of years too.
It’s about the same as Indian Wells.
Ok, if both of you Ricky and Hawkeye said so, so I take it that its like IW/Miami or even slower.
amy,
It’s hard to go back and catch up when I miss some of the discussion. I guess that I missed your messages. I guess we could talk about this on the non-tennis forum.
Yes, it’s for real now. You came back at a good time! Rafa has beaten the #2 and #4 players in the world!
However, I am in agreement with you in wishing that it would be Rafa and Fed in the semis!
TennisFan brought this whole thing up in complaining that the court is slow. I guess that’s not okay with him!
Well. Duhh. Obviously. The Court being slow is not okay with anyone that doesn’t enjoy the ping-pong backboards of the Djokovic-Nadal-Murray triumvirate.
So Novak qualifies now that Kei lost
Damn Rafa has to play Novak in semis. Bad luck. Wish he played Fed
sanju (at 5:20 pm),
Djoko will qualify if he wins at least one set against Berdy.
Thanks for keeping us straight, augusta 😀
Level of tennis in 3rd set of Fed-Nishi was awesome….super entertaining tennis!!!
watching it live, I can also attest that the court is indeed slow-medium pace! it is however, not a high bouncing court at all.
^more towards the slower side I would say.
that’s what I thought…
thanks for sharing with us! 🙂
The format should be changed so that the leaders of each group should go into the final that will make it fairer.
Vamos Rafa!
racket swing @racket_swing 17m17 minutes ago
RT SkySportsTennis “There’s still time to get your questions in for ATP Chairman, Chris Kermode.
Tweet us using #AskTheATP.
Still think the RR format is a good one for the WTF. Sometimes you do get a dead rubber for the last day of RR. But Singapore WTA final this year is a fine example that each round can be interesting, right down to the end.
The anti-climactic part of any tournament or draw (imo) can be the pointy end. But casual fans, fans of primarily one player or those uninterested in a variety of players and match-ups during early rounds will lose interest or be disappointed if their favorite bombs out. In RR format, the dullest part for me is when players qualify early. Though I want Nole in the semi’s and final here, I do rather enjoy the days when there’s more tension: that’s where the excitement mainly is. The same is true at a GS, 1000, 500, even a 250. If my main favorite is out, I don’t quit watching, unless it’s clear that the ones left in are ones who have a truckload (upwards of 5, even for a favorite, is past my personal limit) of wins at any tournament, having been around longer than mud, or winning for a decade straight at the same tournament. Not that I don’t like and respect these icons, it’s just I appreciate new competition and winners. Not everyone shares this opinion, that’s for sure! Not trying to change anyone’s opinion or tout mine as a gold standard, just stating the way I watch and feel about RR format and tennis tournaments in general.
How many of these WTF’s does Fed have?
I’d rather pay for a day pass and hang-out at serious practice sessions during a tournament than have a ticket in hand for an exhibition. Watching Rafa practice forehands — Ferrer and Rafa going at it for hours, is fun! Part of it is getting more for my money, have to admit.
It would be nice if Ferrer won this match. Rafa has nothing to lose, except a couple hundred points. Rafa may be a little preoccupied on the semi’s already.