So another tennis year is almost over with the top 8 players in the world meeting up in London at the O2 arena for what I hope will be an exciting end to the tennis calendar (apart from the Davis Cup final of course!)
The groups have finally given Murray the chance to avoid Djokovic before the final if he manages to win his group v Nishikori, Raonic and Federer. No easy task but if his end of season form is anything to go by I would make him favourite for that group.
All of the players in Murray's group are dangerous of course and I feel that both Nishikori and Raonic are almost ready to win something big. In particular Nishikori showed at the US open and against Nadal last year how wonderful a player he can be. Raonic has yet to prove himself when it really matters but I feel it is just a matter of time before he does and this could be it. I would love to see Federer playing well to cap off a fabulous year and make the pundits eat their words once again after claiming that he was finished not so long ago. So all in a great group with a potential for any 2 to qualify but I would pick Murray and Federer just for a change!
The groups have finally given Murray the chance to avoid Djokovic before the final if he manages to win his group v Nishikori, Raonic and Federer. No easy task but if his end of season form is anything to go by I would make him favourite for that group.
All of the players in Murray's group are dangerous of course and I feel that both Nishikori and Raonic are almost ready to win something big. In particular Nishikori showed at the US open and against Nadal last year how wonderful a player he can be. Raonic has yet to prove himself when it really matters but I feel it is just a matter of time before he does and this could be it. I would love to see Federer playing well to cap off a fabulous year and make the pundits eat their words once again after claiming that he was finished not so long ago. So all in a great group with a potential for any 2 to qualify but I would pick Murray and Federer just for a change!
In the other group it's difficult to see anyone troubling Novak who has been playing some of the best tennis I've ever seen recently. His level of play just seems to keep getting better. The others can only hope that he has a dip in form for them to have any chance at all. And when is Stan the Man going to rediscover his form and confidence which seems to have deserted him since winning the Oz open at the start of the year. Cilic too hasn't managed to find anything like the form he showed in winning the US Open which just goes to show how phenomenal Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have been for many years. Their desire to continue winning is quite incredible. Berdych is a great player but not one I feel destined to win a big tournament. He just doesn't cover the court well enough and that forehand can get too flat and tight when under pressure.
So who will the winner be? Novak is a strong favourite with perhaps Murray reaching the final but only if he can win his group. Federer is a strong contender with Nishikori as my top outsider.
I'll be down on Monday and Tuesday so hope to catch up with some of you there and don't forget the practice courts where you can get up close to most of the players especially the doubles teams who are largely ignored which is a great shame but a fabulous opportunity to learn how to volley and observe some great warm up drills for doubles.
Have a great O2!
I'll be down on Monday and Tuesday so hope to catch up with some of you there and don't forget the practice courts where you can get up close to most of the players especially the doubles teams who are largely ignored which is a great shame but a fabulous opportunity to learn how to volley and observe some great warm up drills for doubles.
Have a great O2!
