Saturday 9 November 2013

ATP World Tour Finals, Semi-Final Preview & Predictions: Federer-Nadal and Djokovic-Wawrinka

So close to a perfect set of predictions through the group stage, but Federer against Del Potro destroys my 100% record! Semi-finals tomorrow and I must say, I have really enjoyed these World Tour Finals so far...

1. Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer
The quality was not always there in Saturday's decisive group match between Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro, but it was another enthralling duel between the pair, who have gone the distance in their last 7 matches.  I thought Del Potro was too passive and Federer, despite displaying his customary 2013 dips in form, played an aggressive match and was able to steady the ship from 0-3 down in the decider.  Federer deservedly won the match, 4-6 7-6(2) 7-5 in 2 hours and 26 minutes.  The atmosphere at the O2 sounded amazing today and it's bound to be even crazier tomorrow as Federer now takes on Rafael Nadal next in the semi-finals.

The Spaniard has been a constant thorn for Federer winning their last 3 matches and holding a 21-10 head-to-head lead.  Nadal has not been at his best this week despite winning all 3 of his group matches.  Indoors will also give Federer an advantage.  They have played at this event twice; Federer beat Nadal in the 2010 final, 6-3 3-6 6-1 and then destroyed him in 2011, 6-3 6-0 in what was a quite masterful performance.  Federer will have less than a day to prepare, but he looked good today fitness wise and much better than DelPo.  I really hope the match lives up to what will be a spectacular occasion.  My call... Fed to get a set, but Nadal to reign supreme.

Prediction - Nadal to beat Federer in 3 sets

2. Novak Djokovic v Stanislas Wawrinka
Novak Djokovic
It really is quite some line-up for Sunday's ticket holders as Novak Djokovic will take Stanislas Wawrinka in the night match.  Djokovic and Wawrinka have played three times this year, the first two both going the distance and earning "epic" status.  Djokovic has looked solid this week and required 3 sets to get past both Federer and Del Potro.  Wawrinka was error-strewn to say the least with 56 unforced errors against David Ferrer in his last round robin match, but showed character to come back from losing the first set on a tiebreak.  There were bound to be nerves in that one and he dealt with them well, coming home with the bacon in a 6-7 6-4 6-1 victory.

Djokovic and Wawrinka played last week in Paris where after a cracking start, the world number 2 sped away from Stan to post a 6-1 6-4 victory.  Key will be Wawrinka's serve, which has been firing really impressively this week and he will have to serve well to have a chance in this one.  Djokovic has won their last 13 matches, but will know from their Australian Open encounter and at the US Open too, that Stanley cannot be underestimated.  I hope for another classic, but I have a feeling it will be pretty straightforward for Nole...

Prediction - Djokovic to beat Wawrinka in 2 sets (1 easy, 1 tight)

4 comments:

  1. Federer can't take the ball high from what I noticed today against Delpotro. On the couple occasions where Delpo hit it to him with a high bounce Fed couldn't respond agressively. Thats probably why he looked so tired in the match vs Gasquet. Well, I underestimated Fed for this match and also the crowd!

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  2. federer in 3 sets

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  3. federer and wawrinka in the finals. vintage fed is back and up and coming wawrinka. watch out!!!

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  4. This crowd is so pro Fed! This is why I can't be a true Fed fan. Because he needs to be at the center of the universe in order to play well.

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