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.”
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‘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!