ATP Finals semi-final preview

The ATP Tour has been dominated by 4 players all through the season – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer. Surprising then that only one of those four have made it through to the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals in London – the season-ending finale which brings together the top 8 players of the season.

Djokovic and Nadal clearly seemed to be out of gas at the end of a long season – both winning only 1 of their 3 group matches – not sufficient to place among the top 2 in their group. Murray played – and lost – only one match before pulling out with a groin injury.

The pick of many at the start of the tournament – Roger Federer – was the only one of the top 4 who managed to come through to the weekend. Joining him are 5th ranked David Ferrer, 6th ranked Jo Wilfred Tsonga and 7th ranked Tomas Berdych. Here is a look forward to the two semi-finals on Saturday.

First Semi-Final: Roger Federer vs. David Ferrer

Imperious Roger Federer on course for the finals

Ferrer is the consummate professional with a work ethic as unmatched on the tour as Federer’s talent. The Spaniard is playing the best tennis of his life at the age of 29 – scoring wins over Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in staright sets in his group matches. But a loss to Berdych on Friday means that Ferrer finishes second in his group and has the unenviable task of taking on Federer in the semis – instead of Tsonga.

Federer is on a 15 match winning streak and coming off two consecutive titles. You could argue that indoors is his favourite surface – he is a 5-time champion at this event. And as hard-working and proficient Ferrer is, his game provides easy fodder for Federer – whose wide array of shots will prove too much for the Spaniard’s game. And if those facts aren’t intimidating enough for the Spaniard – consider this – Ferrer has never beaten the Swiss in any of their 11 career meetings – and only three of those have not been straight sets.

A win for Federer will also see him move back to no. 3 in the rankings. And while the Swiss has often said that he does not care about his ranking if he is not no. 1, a move back to the top 3 will certainly be added motivation enough.

Prediction – Federer in straight sets

Second Semi-Final: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga vs Tomas Berdych

Big-hitting Tsonga takes on Berdych, looking to set up a date with Roger Federer

What the first semi-final will likely lack in excitement and drama will more than likely be made up for in the second semi – a no-holds barred contest between two of the game’s biggest hitters – the mercurial Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and the steady Tomas Berdych – whose game when its on is about as electrifying as his personality isn’t.

Both players finished with 2-1 records in their group and will be attempting to reach the second biggest final of their career – both having been to the finals of a Slam once before. But inspite of their mid-age status on the tour (both are 26 years old), the two have met only once on tour before – last month in Beijing which the Czech won.

Berdych and Tsonga will both try the whip the crap out of the ball – whoever manages to hit more winners and keep thier error count down will win this match. Both are running out of time to win the big titles and solidify their resumes – And both will fancy their chances against Federer – having beaten the Swiss before on big occasions.

Prediction – Tsonga in three sets

And let’s not forget the doubles semi-finals which will also take place on Saturday. Top-ranked Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan take on No. 3 Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor and then the no. 4 seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes play against No. 8 Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski. A battle between the Bryans and the Indians will be a perfect way to pull the chain on the Indian Express’ journey.