Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Berdych:

The first match of Group A will be played between top seed Djokovic and Czech player Tomas Berdych. Djokovic  has a great record against Berdych and has won 10 out of 11 matches against Berdych and in last eight matches between these two players, Djokovic won all of these matches.

Novak Djokovic:

In the previous five ATP Tour Finals, Djokovic was not able to make it to semifinals thrice. This time Djokovic has golden chance to qualify for the semifinals as he won both his earlier group stage matches.

In only one scenario Djokovic can miss the semis, if  Berdych beat Djokovic  in straight sets and Murray beat Tsonga in straight sets, then Murray and Berdych will qualify.

Tomas Berdych:

Last year, Berdych qualified for the semifinals but this time, he lost against Murray and won against Tsonga and is currently at third position in his Group.

Berdych needs to win this match and that too in straight sets, then he will qualify for the semis. Other than that, his qualification will depend on other match later today between Tsonga and Murray .

If Tsonga beat Murray then just win overs Djokovic , it will confirm Berdych’s place in knockout stage.

There is one more scenario where Berdych will qualify for the semis; if Tsonga defeats Murray in straight sets and Berdych wins at least one set against Djokovic.

Andy Murray vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga:

Andy Murray has won six out of seven matches against Tsonga.

Andy Murray:

A win over Berdych has given Murray a good chance for qualifying. He is currently at second spot in the group.

If Murray beats Tsonga, Murray will qualify for the semifinals but if Berdych defeats  Djokovic  in straight sets, then Murray has to beat Tsonga in straight sets.

In the first match, if Djokovic beats Berdych, and Murray loses the match in three-set game, then too Murray will qualify for the Semis.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga:

Tsonga has not registered any win in this tournament thus Tsonga’s chances to reach the semis are very low.

In the first match, if Djokovic beats Berdych in straight set, then there a chance for Tsonga of he also beats Murray in straight set.

In the first match, if Djokovic fails to win in straight sets, then Tsonga will be out of the semis race but his role will be a decider for other semifinalist.

Possible chance of Semifinals Qualification:

 Stats:

Chance of Qualifying in Semis:

Djokovic     : 90%

Berdych      : 60%

Murray       :  40%

Tsonga        : 10 %

On the basis of previous performances, chances of Djokovic and Murray qualifying are 94%.

Last time South Africa toured Australia in December 2008 for a 3 test series, Australia was No.1 in ICC Test ranking. But this time around, things have changed and it’s the tourists who are the top team in Tests.

Australia:

Australia would have advantage of playing at home with the support of home crowd. Shane Watson injured his calf and was ruled out of the first test, but he was in great form this season with both bat and bowl, and his presence in last two test will be very effective for Aussie. Captain Clarke and former captain Ponting have huge responsibility in batting department. Australia have an inexperienced but talented bowling attack. It would be a big stage for the pace battery of Pattinson, Hilfenhaus, Siddle and Starc to show their ability.

South Africa:

South Africa have the same squad that defeated England at their home. South Africa have one of the best pace attack than any other team currently. Pacers like Dale Styen, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel can destroy any batting line-up. World No. 2 test batsmen Amla and AB de Villiers will lead South African batting line-up, not to forget the ever-reliant Kallis.

It’s all about ICC Test Championship:

Currently South Africa is on top of the table with 120 rating points, England in second position with 117 rating points and Australia at third place with 116. So, Australia is just 4 points behind the leaders and would try to reduce the gap further.

Equation for South Africa:

If South Africa manage to win or draw the series, they will maintain their top position in the rankings. South Africa will try to win this series and increase their tally in the rating points up to 126 points. In worst case scenario, they can collapse to the third place with 113 points, losing all 3 matches.

Equation for Australia:

It is a very simple equation for Australia to become the top Test team again, and they have to win this series to achieve that target. Australia can gain up to 6 points if they complete a whitewash over the Proteas.

Possible Ranking table:

Key Players:

Hashim Amla – South African batting mainstay, the Proteas will hope that he continues his rich vein of form.

Shane Watson – Though ruled out of the first test, this allrounder is key to Australia’s success and many Aussie hopes will be pinned on his fitness.

Dale Steyn – The premier fast bowler in the world, there’s no denying that South Africa’s dominance will closely be related to Steyn’s form in the series.

Michael Clarke – At the helm, his last test series against the Proteas was sensational, and he would like to remember the positives from it, than the disappointment and shame of 47 all out. Both teams have come quite a distance from there, and the Aussie captain would like to post a resounding success story this time around.

Battle of the top performers:

This year alone they have both faced each other six times with the head-to-head being three apiece. Both have won three times and lost three times. The last clash at the Shanghai Open Finals was a thriller; the game ended in Serb’s favour. Djokovic defeated Murray 5-7, 7-6(11), 6-3. But Murray has had the last laugh in bigger clashes, the semifinal of  the London Olympics and  the US Open Final, for instance.

Djokovic vs Murray

Novak Djokovic:

Djokovic has had a fabulous year, which he started by winning  the first Grand Slam of the year – Australian Open. And he is ending the year as the World No.1 in ATP World Tour Rankings. Beside the Australian Open, Djokovic has won four other masters titles: Toronto, Miami, Shanghai and Beijing.

Andy Murray:

For Murray, year 2012 has been the best of his career. He has not only won his first career Grand Slam, but he also won Gold at the Olympics. Murray has a positive record against top-ranked players this year. Against Djokovic he has won 3 won and lost 3. Versus Roger Federer, he’s 2-2. And he beat Nadal in their only meeting this year.

Facts:

• Andy Murray lost his first match of the year 2012 against Novak Djokovic and vice-versa. Andy Murray lost his first match against Djokovic in the semifinals of Australian Open, while Djokovic lost his first match of this year against Murray in semifinals of the Dubai Open.
• Before this Djokovic had qualified for the World Tour Finals 5 times; Murray 4. But this will be the first time they meet in the ATP World Tour Finals. Last year Djokovic withdrew due to injury while Murray had withdrawn from tournament too.
• Djokovic defeated Murray in their first four matches. Murray got his first win over Djokovic  in 2008.
• In deciding sets Djokovic has won 75 % of matches against Murray.

 Stats :

After touching apex level in Badminton Saina Nehwal become youth icon of India. Designer Pallavi Jaipur give Saina Nehwal Glamorous look in Hydrabad  walking the ramp.

Few months ago Olympics Bronze Meadlist boxer Mary Kom walked the ramp at charity fashion show for actress Shabana Azmi’s NGO Mijwan.

Yesterday Indian tennis star Sania Mirza walked the ramp for Shantanu and Nikhil at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2012.

In the 2012 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, the first match of Group B will be played between Roger Federer and Janko Tipsarevic.

Roger Federer:

Roger Federer has won six Barclays ATP World Tour Finals titles. He lifted the trophy in 2003 (def. Agassi), 2004 (def. Hewitt), 2006 (def. Blake), 2007 (def. Ferrer), 2010 (def. Nadal) and 2011 (def. Tsonga).

He also finished runner-up in 2005 (lost to Nalbandian). The Swiss made his first appearance at the circuit finale in 2002 and has qualified for the 11th straight year in 2012.

Janko Tipsarevic:

This is the first time Tipsarević has qualified for the event after serving as an alternate the previous year. Janko Tipsarevic served as an alternate at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in 2011, replacing Andy Murray for two round robin matches.

The Serbian has qualified outright for the season finale for the first time. As a 2011 alternate, he has a 1-1 record at the tournament, which includes a victory over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Match Statistics:

This year:

This Tournament:

Head to Head:

• Federer and Tipsarevic have played five head to head singles matches. Federer has won all five of these.
• In five matches, 15 sets have been played and Federer has won 13 out of 15 sets.
• Their last meeting came at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid, where Federer outclassed Tipsarevic in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-2.

India’s ICC ODI Ranking

Chance to grab No.1 Spot:

This year only 10 ODIs are left. 4 ODI matches between Sri Lanka- New Zealand, 5 ODIs  between West Indies-Bangladesh and one ODI between India-Pakistan. If India win their match against Pakistan then India will move to first place and end this year as No.1 in ICC ODI ranking with 121 points.

Challenge ahead in Year 2013:

Next year, it will be challenging to maintain No.1 ranking because if India manages to win the series against Pakistan by 2-1, then also they will move to third place. But the India-England series will be the decider as England is currently the No.1 ODI team and the winner of this 5 match ODI series will decide No.1 rank in ODI.

Pakistan will arrive in Bangalore for the India tour on December 22 and will play the first Twenty20 international on Christmas Day. The schedule, announced by the BCCI on Thursday, has the second T20 in Ahmedabad on December 27. Chennai will host the first ODI three days later and the two remaining one-dayers will be played in Kolkata and Delhi on January 3 and 6.

Indo-Pak Series

The main draw for the China Super Series was announced today. Most of the top ranked players in the world are participating in this tournament, as it is the last Super Series Premiere of this year, which each of the players want to make the most of.

A lot of eyeballs will be on the women’s singles competition, as all three Olympics medalists, Wang Yihan, Li Xuerui and Saina Nehwal, will be participating in the same event for the first time since the Olympics. Each of these players have had a great year, and would want to continue their success. The ranking point difference between Li and Saina is very small, while Wang Yihan is the defending champion.

Indian Participants

Men’s Singles:

There are three Indians participating in this category – Sourabh Varma, Parupalli Kashyap and Ajay Jayaram.

Ajay Jayaram is at the 9^th spot in the BWF Super Series standings, and a good performance here will definitely secure his position in the top eight.

Young Sourabh Varma created a major upset in the Denmark Open by beating Peter Gade, and hopefully he can repeat the same here.

Parupalli Kashyap is appearing in the Super Series after a long time.

Women’s Singles:

Saina Nehwal has a chance to improve her ranking, but it will be a tough tournament for her. Saina will face Wang Yihan in the semifinals if both of them reach the last four.

Men’s Doubles: 2 teams

Women’s Doubles: 1 team

Mixed Doubles: 3 teams

Ranking Points is as below:

Sri Lanka                :  127

West Indies           : 121

India                      : 120

England                : 118

South Africa         : 117

Pakistan               : 116

It is a very simple equation for Sri Lanka. If they win this match, they will be on No. 1 spot till the end of January 2013. And if they lose this match, then there is a chance for other teams like West Indies, India, South Africa, England etc. to gain top spot depending on their performance.

Game of Ranking Points:

Currently Sri Lanka have 127 ranking points

1. If Sri Lanka win they will get +2 points and their total ranking points will be 129.
2. If Sri Lanka lose they will lose -6 points  and their total ranking points will be 121.

In case of winning Sri Lanka will be secure top ranking position  until 26^th January, 2013 where they will play T20 match against Aussie and result will decide their position.

But losing against New Zealand will put West Indies automatically  on No.1 T20 Ranking. West Indies also have 121 Points but they will have some fractional lead compared to Sri Lanka. West Indies will tour Bangladesh in December where they will play one T20 Match. West Indies have a chance to increase their ranking points lead by winning that T20 match.  If West Indies win this match they will get +1 points and maintain their position but losing against Bangladesh will be disaster for West Indies as they would go down to 7^th position  with a loss of -7 points.

Chance for India to be No.1 in T20 Ranking :

India have never achieved first position in T20 ranking but they have bright chance to do this depending on other teams results. But this is only possible if and only if Sri Lanka lose this match today while India have to win both their T20 match against England in December.

Last Sunday, many Indian Badminton fans were disappointed when Saina was beaten in final of the French Open. Still, Saina improved her BWF ranking points to 82111.7, which didn’t affect her ranking, but she came closer to the second spot.

2012 year review for Saina Nehwal:

Year 2012 has been the best year in Saina Nehwal’s career. After a disappointing last year, where she wasn’t able to win a single Super series title, this year she won two BWF Super Series Premiere (Indonesia and Denmark) and two Grand Prix Gold titles (Swiss and Thailand) along with an Olympic bronze medal. Saina started this year at 4^th ranking, but a poor performance in the first four Super Series, where she failed to qualify, led her ranking to drop to 5^th. She came back strongly and won back-to-back titles in Thailand and Indonesia. She continued her good form and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. After the Olympics, she took a two-and-a-half month break and didn’t participate in 3 Super Series’. Winning Denmark open and runner-up in the French Open put Saina back in driving seat.

Saina leads 2012 ranking table:

Saina has performed well compared to all her top four opponents in this year. She has won 2 Super Series Premiere, while her competitor Wang Yihan, Li Xuerui and Wang  Shixian won 1 Super Series Premiere title each.

Points of top 5 players in the year 2012:

In 2012, Saina Nehwal is leading the table and if she continues her good performance in the next 3 Super Series, she has a chance to top the BWF ranking and achieve her career best ranking. Wang Yihan and Li Xuerui are very close to Saina and the upcoming events will be surely be the decider for the rankings. Wang Xin had a great year, but due to injuries at the Olympics, she missed many tournaments after that and shifted down in the ranking; she has moved from second place to the fourth.

Chance for Saina Nehwal to top the ranking:

Saina Nehwal is currently at No.3 in the BWF world ranking. Three BWF Super Series events still left in this year – Hong Kong, China and Super Series Masters. Both Yihan and Xuerui are defending their points in the China Super Series, while Saina has everything to gain by performing well in this tournament. Li Xuerui is just 1645 points ahead of Saina. Excluding Saina, all the top 5 have achieved first spot in their careers. Unfortunately, Saina reached the 2^nd spot in 2010 but missed the top spot due to poor performances in 2011 that took her ranking down to 5^th. If Saina wins two out of three, or qualifies in all the finals, then depending on others’ performances, she has a bright chance to move up in ranking table.

Sachin Tendulkar makes an appearance for the fans

Legendary F1 Driver Michael Schumacher and Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar

Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra at F1 after party

Cricketer Gautam Gambhir and Red Bull F1 Driver Mark Webber

Indian Tennis star Saina Mirza with her husband Shoaib Malik

F1 Driver Michael Schumacher with  Sachin’s wife Anjali and daughter Sarah

Olympic Medalist Gagan Narang Showing the Checkered flag

Cricketer Harbhan Singh with Bollywood actress Geeta Basra at the Ferrai camp

After winning the Denmark Open, Saina Nehwal  climbed to the highest ranking of this year.  Saina moved to 3^rd spot as a result of winning the Denmark Super Series Premiere. Year 2011 was very disappointing for Saina as she was not able to win a single super series title. But this year, Saina has won back to back super series titles and an Olympic medal to improve her ranking.

Chance to come closer to 2^nd place :

Chinese player Li Xuerui is currently at 2^nd spot with 85926.7 points but she is not playing the French Open as well as Bitburger Open, and that will affect her ranking points. She was the runner up at French Open  2011 and defending champion of Bitburger Open, so she will lose 2170.2 ranking points and her new ranking points will be 83756.5.

On other hand, Saina Nehwal can benefit from the French Open. Saina is currently at 3^rd spot with 80361.7 points and if she wins French Open then she will get 3150 points and her ranking points will be 83511.7, which is just 245 less than  Li Xuerui.

Li Ning China Open 2012 can be decider :

Li Ning China Open 2012, starting from 13^th November, can be the decider for rankings because the top three players will be participating in this tournament. Wang Yihan will be top seeded, while  Li Xuerui and Saina Nehwal will be second and third seeded respectively. Wang Yihan is the defending champion and Li Xuerui was a semi-finalist last year. According to seeding, if Sania and Li win their all matches then they will meet in semifinals which could be a decider for 2^nd spot. But if Saina reaches semifinal, then she will benefit through more ranking points also.

Saina Nehwal is the top seed in the French Open Super Series women’s singles tournament and she live up to her seeding by winning her first round match against Chinese Li Han by 21-11, 16-21, 21-19. Now Saina will face Thai player Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the second round. Saina has a good record against Taerattanachai, having won both her matches against her previously.

In men’s singles, Ajay Jayaram won his first round match against Suppanyu Avihingsanon by the score 21-16, 21-17. On the other hand, Sourabh Varma lost his opening match against Sony Dwi Kuncoro by 20-22, 16-21.

Scorecard

Yuki and Sanam Singh started his Shanghai Challenger campaign with a win while Vishnu Vardhan lost his first match.

Yuki beat Australian Matt Reid in straight set 7-6, 6-4. While in other match, Sanam Singh beat Chinese Li Zhe in straight set 6-4, 6-2.

Now Yuki and Sanam will face each other in the second round and the winner of this match will enter Quarterfinals.  Yuki is seeded 6^th  in this Tournament while Sanam reached the first round by qualifying for the tournament.

Vishnu Vardhan lost against Michael Yani  in his first match by 5-7, 4-6.

India beat South Korea in the Quarterfinals and reached the semifinals. After two defeats in the Group stage matches against China and Iran, S Korea were looking  like they had the upper hand. But India created an upset and won the match.

India won the first set by 27-25 but lost the second set by a huge margin of 14-25. Then India came back strongly in the third set and won by 25-20 and Korea attacked and won the fourth set by 25-23.

And it came to the deciding set and in a nail-biting finish, India won the set by 17-15 and won the match and entered the semifinals, where they will face defending champion Iran.

Iran is one of the favorite team for this tournament Through out this tournament, Iran showed their brilliant volleyball game, winning 12 sets and losing only 4. In the group stage match, Iran beat India by 3-1.

 Scorecard :

Next Match [Semifinals]:

6 Sep.  : India vs Iran

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