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 seasonĀ 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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Love their matches š
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! š
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 š
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.