Saturday’s action in Paris will be all about the BNP Paribas Masters semifinals–nothing more, as London spots were decided on Friday. Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych, and Milos Raonic can focus on playing for a berth in the title match.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (6) Kei Nishikori
It will be a rematch of the U.S. Open semifinals when Djokovic and Nishikori meet again in the semis of the BNP Paribas Masters on Saturday. Nishikori owns a surprising 2-1 edge in the head-to-head series after upsetting Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 in New York. The Japanese sensation is 2-0 on hard courts, as he also prevailed three years ago in Basel after Djokovic had scored a straight-set victory at the 2010 French Open.
Nishikori guaranteed his spot in the World Tour Finals on Friday with a grueling, pressure-packed 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 defeat of fellow London contender David Ferrer. The world No. 7 also needed three sets to beat both Tommy Robredo and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Djokovic has made made much quicker work of Philipp Kohlschreiber, Gael Monfils, and Andy Murray. It is time for Nishikori to get some much-needed rest for London, whereas Djokovic will forge ahead in his bid to finish the season ranked No. 1 in the world.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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(5) Tomas Berdych vs. (7) Milos Raonic
Berdych and Raonic will be squaring off for just the fourth time in their careers on Saturday. Raonic leads the head-to-head series 2-1 and all three of their previous matches have been contested on hard courts. Their most recent meeting also came at this same Paris event in 2013, when Berdych advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6(13), 6-4 victory. Raonic’s wins came two years ago in Cincinnati (6-4, 2-6, 6-2) and last fall in the Bangkok final (7-6(4), 6-3).
Both men clinched spots in London on Friday. Berdych accomplished it first by improving to 12-0 lifetime against Kevin Anderson via a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 scoreline. The fifth-ranked Czech preceded that effort with scalps of Adrian Mannarino and Feliciano Lopez. Raonic stunned Roger Federer 7-6(5), 7-5 earlier in the day to keep his hopes alive before officially clinching when Ferrer lost to Nishikori. The Canadian looked like a man possessed to reach the year-end championship and now an edge might be taken off. Able to exhale, Raonic mentally could be on the fast track to London.
Pick: Berdych in 3
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Well that explains it.. With no extra day of rest that’s asking a lot. He just didn’t have enough left to take on Novak. I would prefer fatigue than being injured again.
It looks like Novak is primed to get this title. I think the problem with some of the players is that they are looking ahead to the WTF. That’s what can happen this time of year.
@nny
“That’s what can happen this time of year.”
Exactly. It’s what happens every year. By the time they get to Paris most of the players are too knackered (either physically or mentally or even both) to play their best tennis. Added to which those who have qualified for London often appear to be merely going through the motions. It doesn’t make for enthralling tennis.
ed,
I certainly agree that it does not make for enthralling tennis. You can see that they are going through the motions because there just isn’t much left in the tank.
But why is it Novak is fresh and perky this time of the year unlike everyone else? Yes, the surface suits him blah, blah blah but it also suits a lot of other players. I don’t get it.
^^^^ Both Djokovic and Federer happen to be blessed with naturally good physiques capable of withstanding the heavy physical demands of tennis better than the majority of players. Amazingly In spite of their high mileages on court, neither of them have ever suffered injuries necessitating surgery or long term rehabilitation.
Roger is famous for never having retired during a match and I believe has only once withdrawn during a tournament with a back problem. Nole of course was infamous for his MTOs and retirements in the early years but post the showdown with Roddick at the USO he cleaned up his act considerably although there have still been a couple of ‘strategic’ retirements since then.
Novak has played the least number of tournaments than any other player in the Top 50.
Roger only one more.
That’s why they are the freshest along with their style of play.
All that travel and time on the road adds up both mentally and physically.
@Hawkeye
––All that travel and time on the road adds up both mentally and physically–
I agree. This is something which is often overlooked.
The wear and tear of the incessant travel takes its toll every bit as much as the relentless demands of competing interspersed with intensive training. On top of this even in their so called free time the top guys are endlessly fulfilling obligations to their sponsors and to promote tennis in general.