London Preview

The top eight tennis players in the world (well, actually 8 of the top 9) begin play in the world tour finals today in London.  This should be an interesting tournament given that four different men won major titles this year and the number of "spoilers".  Here are the eight participants with their points this week and some stats.

1) Novak Djokovic (SRB) - 11,420 - 6th WTF appearance ('07-'11), 9-9 record, best result '08 W - 5 titles this year including the Australian Open, 70-13 record
2) Roger Federer (SUI) - 9465 - 11th WTF appearance ('02-'11), 39-7 record, best result '03,'04,'06,'07,'10,'11 W - 6 titles including Wimbledon, 68-10 record
3) Andy Murray (GBR) - 7600 - 5th WTF appearance ('08-'11), 7-5 record, best result '08,'10 SF - 3 titles including the US Open and the Olympics, 54-14 record
4) Rafael Nadal (ESP) - 6795 - withdrew with injury - 4 titles including the French Open, 42-6 record
5) David Ferrer (ESP) - 6030 - 4th WTF appearance ('07,'10,'11), 6-6 record, best result '07 F - 7 titles this year, 72-14 record
6) Tomas Berdych (CZE) - 4405 - 3rd WTF appearance ('10,'11), 3-4 record, best result '11 SF - 2 titles this year, 59-20 record
7) Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) - 4080 - 3rd WTF appearance ('08,'09), 4-4 record, best result '09 F - 4 titles this year, 63-15 record
8) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) - 3490 - 3rd WTF appearance ('08,'11), 4-4 record, best result '11 F - 2 titles this year, 55-22 record
9) Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) - 2990 - 1st WTF appearance ('11 as alt.), 1-1 record - 1 title this year, 59-26 record

Group A appears to be much more difficult as it includes Djokovic, Murray, Berdych, and Tsonga while Group B consists of Federer, Ferrer, Del Potro, and Tipsarevic.  Djokovic has already locked up the no. 1 ranking for the year.  Federer and Murray have clinched nos. 2 and 3, respectively. Ferrer could pass Nadal for no. 4 by making the final and still some movement happen in spots 6-9.

As a review, here are the winners of the big titles this year:

-Australian Open:  Novak Djokovic
-French Open:  Rafael Nadal
-Wimbledon:  Roger Federer
-US Open:  Andy Murray

-Indian Wells:  Roger Federer
-Miami:  Novak Djokovic
-Monte Carlo:  Rafael Nadal
-Madrid:  Roger Federer
-Rome:  Rafael Nadal
-Toronto:  Novak Djokovic
-Cincinatti:  Roger Federer
-Shanghai:  Novak Djokovic
-Paris:  David Ferrer

The draw certainly didn't do Djokovic any favors as he drew not only Murray but Berdych and Tsonga as well.  Federer will have an excellent chance to win his 7th tour finals by breezing through his group and being fresh for the semis and final.  I expect Del Potro to make the semis alongside Federer (who he could possibly beat as he just did in Basel) though I won't count out Ferrer.  However, Ferrer just won in Paris and still has Davis Cup to forward to.  I don't see Tipsarevic as much of a threat.

Anyone could win Group A as you can see anyone in the group beating anyone else on any given day. Berdych has Davis Cup to forward to so we'll see if that factors in.  Djokovic and Murray are the favorites but I kind of like Berdych to slip in ahead of Murray, who is trending downward through the fall season.  Tsonga is a threat to beat anyone but don't see him winning 2 matches here.

I like Federer to win this tournament especially if he can avoid playing Del Potro twice.  Del Potro is a dark horse as I think the players in Group A will be beating each other up.  If Federer, Djokovic, and Murray win, it will help their claim for player of the year though I'm not sure how much claim Murray has since he didn't win a single Masters so he would probably have to win this.

Enjoy the tennis now, because we've got a longer offseason this year.