Either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer will improve to 2-0 at the World Tour Finals and take control of Group Stan Smith on Tuesday. Djokovic is coming off a straight-set beatdown of Kei Nishikori, while Federer made similarly quick work of Tomas Berdych.
A tie will be broken–at least temporarily–when Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer square off for the 43rd time in their careers during round-robin action at the World Tour Finals on Tuesday.
The head-to-head series stands at 21-21 following Djokovic’s 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 triumph in the U.S. Open final this summer. Djokovic has won four of six meetings in 2015, including four of the last five. The world No. 1 also prevailed in the Wimbledon title match via a 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3 scoreline. Federer’s two victories this season have come in Dubai (6-3, 7-5) and Cincinnati (7-6(1), 6-3).
This ends a streak of four consecutive encounters between the two players in finals. But they are not entirely strangers to early-tournament meetings, as they also battled in London round-robin competition in 2013. Djokovic took that match 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-2 to improve to 2-1 lifetime against Federer at this event. The Serb also got the job done in the 2012 championship match, while Federer came out on top in the 2010 semifinals. They were scheduled to vie for last year’s title, but the Swiss had to withdraw due to a back injury.
Federer is dealing with no such troubles now and can leave everything on the court without a Davis Cup final to worry about, as was the case in 2014. The 34-year-old, a recent champion in Basel, is a stellar 60-10 for his 2015 campaign after beating Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday night. Federer won 12 of the last 16 games following a brief 2-0 first-set deficit.
Djokovic needed only one hour and five minutes–four minutes fewer than Federer–to roll over Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday afternoon. The top seed is now 79-5 for the season and 23-0 in his last 23 matches since falling to Federer in Cincinnati.
“It was quite unusual [in 2013] to play each other so early in a tournament,” Federer said of their previous World Tour Finals round-robin contest. “This doesn’t feel now so crazy early because we’ve had the week of preparation; we’ve both had a match now. I think we both feel like we’re in the tournament.”
And they both will be regardless of Tuesday’s outcome. Djokovic, the three-time defending champion, is looking too good for anyone at the moment–even for Federer–but do not be surprised if this is not the last time these two see each other on opposite sides of the net in London.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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who ya got?
This is going to be very interesting. Djokovic in 3 is the sensible pick. of course .
I am going with Fed in 3 for this round robin match.
Yes, this is a tough one. I just can’t see Novak beating Fed twice at this event. I am assuming that they will both come out of their group on top.
As always, the easy pick is Novak in 3 sets. But I will also go with Fed in 3 for this one.
How can they both come out of their group on top when they are in the same group?
Uh, because they will be 1 and 2!
Djoko in 2! Novak Djokovic is invincible to say the least. He driving a steamroller over the Smith Group.
If Fed serves well and court is fast, Fed will win. Am rooting for Fed. Djoko is becoming insufferable.
Fed in three.
#NID
Djoko in 2 looking at the bounce and pace of court
This is a dress rehearsal for the final. The only thing which might play a factor is if Djokovic wants to add spice to the event by easing his foot off the pedal today before bringing down the hammer in the final.
Federer in 3
#Will he, wont he.
I like it; Djokovic easing his foot off the pedal to add spice. #will he?
I’m hoping for Fed in two, probably in 3. Kei made Novak looked very good; Kei was serving poorly, Novak just played everything better than Kei (imo Kei’s like a mini Novak except he comes with a more attacking mindset, both are versions of Davydenko, Novak being the improved version with incredible defensive skills add in; Kei the more aggressive version).
I fell asleep during the Fed/Berdych match, watched some of it. Fed was playing well enough to beat Berdych in straights when Berdych was playing better than Kei did. If Fed uses all his guile and aggression and cut down on his errors, he can beat Novak.
I still had the family here yesterday so didn’t see any of the matches live. Watched snatches of Federer and Berdy late last night and was surprised he lost so easily. Did he just fade or was it Federer upping his level?
ed,
Fed was sharp and didn’t give Berdy much breathing room.
More than Federer’s serve, it will be his FH that will decide the outcome of the match.
Fed needs his FH to be almost at its best to beat Novak ( esp given how slow the court looked yesterday).
Djokovic’s ROS has been insane for the whole year. Don’t think Roger will get many free points on his serves. So FH becomes the key for him.
So yeah, I will be really surprised if Fed manages to beat him tomorrow (even though him along with Stan are the only guys whom I give a shot at beating Nole here at the O2)
Based on how Stan performed on court yesterday, he really doesn’t stand much of a chance to beat either Fed or Nole here despite taking a set off Nole in Paris.
I do not think Fed will beat Novak tomorrow…Unfortunately I am inclined to believe that Fed won’t even take a set from Novak…those who think Novak could end up playing lose and focus on the finals instead thus letting this one go are mistaken…Novak earns points and money and he is the fittest on tour…he is so high on confidence and will not want to lose any match here…it’s Fed who could do some calculation and decide not to go for broke as he is expected to play in the semis and needs to be rested for it…he is 34 remember?
if they happen to meet in the finals then I expect a tougher Fed to show up…
Nats: I didn’t say he would ‘fake bad’. It was an idle ‘what if’ conjecture 🙂
I agree with you. He will want to emphasise his dominance and make hay while the sunshines.
I’ll reword that: He’ll WANT to emphasise his dominance IF HE CAN.
Wanting to and being able to not necessarily being the same thing 😉
Nole hasn’t beaten fed in straights on a hard court in three years. On the contrary, Fed beat Nole in straights twice this year alone.
If Nole plays his best game on these slow courts, Fed doesn’t stand a chance, however I don’t think he will.
Expect another US Open like classless crowd bias for Fed.
@abhirf
I meaant to say the other day I remember you mentioning earlier in the year that you had a lot going on so it’s nice to see you crop up again here. Been a topsy turvy season for Rafans this year but everybody is looking forward to the Fedal enounter. These days they are few and far between.
Djokovic hasn’t beaten Fed in straight sets on a hard court in his last nine tries.
Last time he did it was 2012 and that was 76 75.
Fed has beaten Nole in straight sets in three of those nine meetings (twice this year).
This one has Fed written all over it.
It’s not 2012. This is Djokovic 2015!
Twice. This. Year.
Please read more carefully.
Dubai and Cincinnati? Djokovic is sharper now. Think about it ;p
Allez Fed!
Ajde #NoleFam
Let’s do this!!!
Stan suffers from a sense of entitlement to beat Rafa because he is believing the propaganda so when he comes up against the real Rafa he can’t take it then he starts to sulk.
Sorry, wrong thread.
nole in 3, could be 2.
Psyched for this.
Popcorn time.
Love their matches 😀
yup…..treat to watch
I know.
Happy for you vamosrafa – catching Rafa/Stan! Would love to be there for this one.
thanks! yes, I wish I had the time to attend this.
Some great serving from Fed that 2nd game. But Nole applying the tourniquet. Fed’s serve has to be perfect or it comes back a winner for Nole.
Has Roger lost his Gillette contract?
scruffy fed.
Did you hear that noise? ROFL
what noise?
Are you not entertained?
Great tennis overall but, as predicted, Nole leaking a few more errors than normal which is why I picked Fed.
Amazing drop shot from Fed a game or so ago. What spin on the ball.
Sir Shankalot is in the house.
Federer’s serve has been saving him. Yep. That dropper went sideways, hawkey.
Nole hitting a some otherworldly returns. And just solid on serve.
Federer takes the first set 75.
Nope won’t win in straight sets.
I thought about it! 🙂
Going as predicted. Fed might even do it in two.
That set point was an apt justification of the fact that Fed’s the best when it comes to attacking tennis. Always willing to take those half chances rather than playing the waiting game like others.
The problem is that now Federer is confident. Nole has to up the level now. Get this!
set and a break
hehe…Nole breaks back 😀
Nid
ajde! What a shot to hold. sigh of relief
Fed’s serve is sublime.
Really, really, don’t want you to be right.
Nor do I TBH.
I shoulda woulda coulda picked Fed in two, Will be the fourth time on a hc in the last 13 months.
But I saw the writing on the board.
How many UEs from Nole dumped into the net?
Fed up a break again.
GSM.
Okay but this is what Nole needs to fire him up. He’s not on his game today, hawk. Keep waiting for it, but Federer can taste #1 blood.
Nole taking his foot off the pedal to spice things up, as Ed suggested? *face palm*
Wow! I came home to see Fed won the first set!
When Djokovic is under pressure he doesn’t look that invincible, does he?
Who does?
Um, I picked Fed to win in 3 sets. Why? Because I said he can beat Novak in a best of three set match, especially on indoor hard court. But it doesn’t look like it’s going to take 3 sets.
ALLEZ Roger!!!!!!
To say Noles groundstrokes are a bit off would be an understatement.
Nevertheless, good to see great serving and consistency on his groundstrokes by Roger
Oh man, what a rally! Fed blinked in the end. I can’t believe how Fed has taken over in this second set.
Okay match point #3! Let’s see if Fed can get it done.
Well done Fed! In 2 sets!
Scruffy Fed in the camera.
This changes things in their group. I picked Novak to get through undefeated 3-0. That’s not going to happen now.
But didn’t you pick Fed to win this??
But didn’t you pick fed to win this one??
vamosrafa,
If you are talking to me, then the answer is yes, I did pick Fed to win in 3 sets. But I didn’t know for a fact that he would win. So at that time there was still the possibility that Novak would go 3-0 undefeated. After all, I could have been wrong! 🙂
I picked Novak to go undefeated earlier. But I just had a feeling that Fed might play well enough to beat him.
GSM Fed …i could not watch..will do so and then comment. I am not suprised at the outcome but yes the second set’s scoreline is. Fed’s brand of tennis is superior in these conditions…
Let’s hear the excuses for Djokovic. Congrats to Federer.
No excuses. But I became too complacent about Nole winning.
22 unforced errors for Nole, though? Is that right?
Yeah about that but Fed had almost the same. Fed had more winners though.
Nole’s UEs were bad ones though many just dumped into the net.
Fed had some shanks but more were strategic aggressive errors.
Nothing a loss to Fedal Fed loss won’t fix, right? I picked a Rafole final 😉
Yes, I am also going to see the replay of this match. I missed the first set and most of the second set. I want to see how Fed did it. But I guess it’s true that Fed really likes these courts.
I think it’s going to be much tighter now in their group. I thought Novak would come out on top.
It looks like I didn’t give Fed enough credit picking him to win in 3 sets. To win the second set with that score is impressive.
Fourth time in the last 13 months against Nole on a hard court.
Impressive but not a big surprise. Nole in straights would have been the anomaly.
It’s also best of three, not best of five. At least I picked Fed!
Congrats to me and anyone else that picked fed.
Commies to Ricky and those that picked Nole.
Next time think about it. 🙂 (Couldn’t resist.)
#NID
Egg on my face fair enough, lol. As long as Nole wins the Final, it will be okay.
Sorry for your guy. Hope he beats him in the final!!!
22 UEs for Nole, 19 for Fed.
Am not sure i want rafa to top the grp now? and fed stops another streak. My gosh the old man is good
WOW!
Way to go, Fed! Great win! Novak’s level dropping…he certainly is not invisible…I expected Novak to start losing but not this soon…Bravo Fed!
@ hawkeye,
great prediction!
I do hope you are wrong about Rafa tomorrow… 🙂
Me too nats. Me too.
Congrats to me, NNY, VR and ed who all picked Fed to win. You know, the Tennis Expert Club.
hawkeye,
Thanks, even though I got the number of sets wrong!
Hey, thanks for including me in the Tennis Experts Club! I am in good company! 🙂
Some call it a gang but I prefer club. 😉
But I was wrong Nole might fake bad. His foot slippped off the pedal completely. What’s more the good loser act also slipped – none of his jovial bonhomie and the handshake at the net net was what you might call perfuntory.
Actually Novak smiled and looked quite friendly but Fed didn’t return the smile and looked away quickly.
certainly wont be going out to dinner after the press conferences
Like I said…
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CUDILZhWwAIumwq.jpg
Fed terminates the terminator, well done!
hawkeye,
Yes! I much prefer club! 🙂
I think it’s disgusting that they seem to make excuses for the loser if they predicted him to win and he lost. Why can’t they just congratulate Federer instead of saying maybe Djokovic didn’t prepare well or something wasn’t right or he wasn’t fired up because he could still win the title even if he loses a match, blah, blah, blah!
It isn’t fair!
Djokovic is beatable! Congrats to Fed! I pick him to win, and he has to do it in straight sets, Novak would win when it goes three. So far, Fed won/wins against Novak in straight sets, those four wins from Shanghai last year to WTF this year.
I don’t think you committed to an actual pick.
I don’t comment, I just vote for it.
I don’t do actual pick usually, I just vote for it.
I don’t do actual pick usually; I vote for it.
Well then congrats to you too! 🙂
I know that Rafa should beat Murray if he plays well Lucky,
How do you think it will go? Do you think Rafa will play well enough to beat Murray?
There is no guarantee that Djoker will beat Berdych.
Did you watch Tomas today?
Nothing is impossible, that’s why they play the matches. Djoker will be tight against Berdych because a win is vital. We shall see.
In No1e we Trust 😉
Berdych has virtually zero chance.
Egg still on my face, I’m trying to get into the TG picking club. Rafa over Andy – winner! Have Stan beating Ferrer – that’s not going to help . Nole in 2- ajde!
So is Ricky. 🙂
lol…
This is serious. Nole needs to beat Berdych and Fed needs to beat Kei for Nole to make the semis. Is that right? What if Federer loses to Kei? #confused.
To Murray. I think. Can I say Fed is a trolling WTF? Is that against the rules?
Maybe Fed will tank to eliminate Nole.
Fed’s done something like that before, hasn’t he?
Probably.
My reply is out of order. I give up.
Hawkeyes, I always vote for Rafa to win, and in straights, except vs Novak.
It’s always vs Novak that Rafa has problems. I do feel after the last four tournaments, Rafa is ready to do well here. I think he’ll be 3-0 in his group. The SF will be intriguing for sure, vs Novak or vs Fed.
The loss to Federer snaps Djokovic’s 23-match win streak. It’s his first loss since 2012 indoors (38 straight).
Roger clinches a SF appearance.
Federer responsible for 3 of Djokovic’s 6 losses this season and has now handed Novak Djokovic four of his last six losses on hard courts, all in straight sets.
Federer gets a bit touchy when it’s suggested to him that he sat in the wrong seat tonight. “To me, a towel is for a shower…”
https://twitter.com/ProdigyRep/status/666720906128027648
Tennis’ sportsmanship player of the year!!!
#PlayoffBeard
I said Fed would win if he serves well. Sorry for you hawkeye #nolefam
Djoko defeated by 34 year old Fed in straight sets! Proves Rafa is the greatest. Only he could beat Fed in his prime. As luckystar rightly said, djoko is #3 . He is another king of the weak era who started looking invincible after Fed started aging and Rafa’s body started declining.
that!
Proves nothing except I know a lot about tennis.
I predicted Fed to win as did the rest of the club. It was NID IMO.
Rafa has a much worse record than Nole vs Fed indoors. Rafa’s sole win against Fed indoors was when Fed was getting over a bad back and getting used to a new racquet in one of Rafa’s very best year.
Rafa lost indoors to a 34 year old fed last month because of mental anxiety just like I predicted.
Same for Nole. He choked just like I predicted.
Hope this helps!
#YoureWelcome
“You have those days when you’re not feeling your best,” Djokovic said. “I made a lot of unforced errors.”
… as I predicted.
Getting Tiggy with it….
“How significant is this win? Unlike a normal victory, this one doesn’t knock the loser out of the tournament. Djokovic has some work to do when he faces Tomas Berdych two days from now, but would you really bet that he and Federer won’t be meeting again in the final on Sunday?”
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/11/express-delivery/56840/#.VkuwaoRqrZZ
Excuses!!! The real Goat contenders are Fed and Rafa.
Now that I have watched the match, I can say that I thought they both played very well in that first set. One would have thought it would go to a TB. Novak made a few errors, but still had game point to hold serve and take it to a TB. But Fed was able to capitalize with a great volley that landed on Novak’s side of the court on the line. Fed was just that much better.
The second was strange. Novak was broken by Fed in his first service game, but then came right back and broke Fed. It was even at 2-2 and one would have thought that this was going to be another tight set. But Novak seemed to lose his cool and composure. Fed kept it together and stayed sharp while Novak started making some unusual errors.
Things fell apart quickly for Novak in the second set. The stats showed that it was close. But the one that stood out to me was Novak winning 50% of second serve points, while Fed won something like 68%. Novak is usually the won who wins more second serve points. Winner and UE’s weren’t that different. Fed did have more winners to UE’s in the match, while Novak had a few more UE’s than winners. But looking at the stats overall, there wasn’t much between them.
Fed got it done when it counted and took advantage of his opportunities. I thought he did well going DTL with his forehand and taking that shot early. He played aggressive and smart. For Novak I just don’t think there are a lot of excuses for this loss. He played very well in the first set and somehow dissembled in that second set. A well deserved win for Fed!
It’s Djokovic’s physical strength and mental strength which have propelled him to the top and are responsible for his impressive record this year. But mental strength does not preclude mental fatigue and there is no quick fix if this is what is happening. There have been signs the stress of maintaining his current level is taking its toll. As Nats has already pointed out, when the armour is pierced the mojo starts to evaporate – sometimes amazingly quickly.