Novak Djokovic and Milos Raonic will be battling for supremacy in Group B when they square off at the World Tour Finals on Tuesday night.
Djokovic is sweeping the head-to-head series 7-0, including 3-0 on hard courts (1-0 indoors). Their only previous indoor encounter came two years ago at the Paris Masters, where the Serb cruised 6-2, 6-3. They have faced each other twice this season, with Djokovic getting the job done 6-2, 6-0 in the Indian Wells final and 6-3, 6-4 on the clay courts of Madrid.
The current world No. 2 was dominating the ATP Tour at that point in time, but he has slumped since triumphing at the French Open for the first time in his career. He was upset by Sam Querrey in the Wimbledon third round before falling at the Rio Olympics (in the first round to Juan Martin Del Potro), at the U.S. Open (to Stan Wawrinka in the title match), at the Shanghai Masters (to Roberto Bautista Agut in the semis), and at the Paris Masters (to Marin Cilic in the quarters). Djokovic also started slow at the O2 Arena, but he bounced back to win his opener 6-7(10), 6-0, 6-2 over Dominic Thiem on Sunday afternoon.
Like his opponent, Raonic headed into London with no momentum of any kind. The Canadian bounced back from early losses in St. Petersburg, Shanghai, and Basel to reach the Paris semifinals, but he was forced to give Andy Murray a walkover due to a quadriceps injury. Raonic said afterward that he was “doubtful” for the year-end championship, but he has clearly made a miraculous recovery. The world No. 4 turned in a stellar performance on Sunday night to roll over Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4. Raonic fired 12 aces without double-faulting and did not face a single break point.
Another similar performance would be enough for the underdog to make this one competitive, but it is hard to see him turning the tide of an 0-7 mark against Djokovic–especially at an event that Djokovic has won on four consecutive occasions.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
[polldaddy poll=9579003]
WWW?
Djokovic in three
Nole in two or three.
Novak might have one tight set like he did against Thiem.
I agree that he should get the win, probably in 3 sets.
Ditto
Djoker in three
Milos in 3. Maybe 2. But he has to start well. If he does I think the Djokovic cracks will begin to show
A super aggressive net game is what I hope for and anticipate
Milos in 3
Raonic looked surprisingly good today vs Monfils, but I’ll still take Joker in 2.
Nole in two, thats for sure. Simply loves this place and im sure we all hoping for the dream final to end a great year of tennis off
Djokovic in 2 or 3. Probably 2.
This is one of his favourite courts/arenas. Hasn’t dropped a set for a while against Raonic. Has already lost to a Croatian recently, he won’t want to make it 2. Already had a scare against Thiem and then won last 12 of 14 games.
Nole in 2-3 sets.
#NID
Curtains for Raonic
Could I have been more wrong about Raonic playing an aggressive net game?! ?
Milos is not going away. Right now I have an ominous feeling he’s going to win this match. Djokovic has let Raonic come back from a break down TWICE in one set. Not good news for Novak. Let’s go Milos!!