WTF World Tour Finals Draw is out!

[GasquetGOAT]

GROUP A:
(1)Roger Federer

(4)Andy Murray

(5)Juan Martin del Potro

(7)Fernando Verdasco


GROUP B
(2)Rafael Nadal

(3)Novak Djokovic

(6)Nikolay Davydenko

(8 )Robin Soderling

 

[Blinkism]

Nice draw.

If Del Potro is really injured like some say, Tsonga will be replacing him.

Otherwise, looking forward to a Nadal-Soderling match and hoping Nadal can draw on his experiences in previous Master's Cups against Djokovic and Davydenko (He's 2-0 against both at the YEC)

 

[sh@de]

Is this like... gg for Nadal? All three in his group can seriously give him problems.

 

[Outbeyond]

Is this like... gg for Nadal? All three in his group can seriously give him problems.

Boy, that's what I thought! They couldn't have picked three more challenging contenders for Rafa. I'm afraid it's Roger who definitely got the cakewalk this time around. :neutral:

But let's see what Rafa is willing to do here. The main problem with this draw is I can't imagine him "going all out" per his usual style and risking injury in the face of the upcoming Davis Cup, which he's absolutely determined to play and win. He'll be competitive in London because he's not shown himself to be anything less, but if his opponents drill him in opposite corners for the entire match (as they are wont to do), I don't think we'll see Rafa racing around as much at the Barclays. He'll be saving all that stuff for DC.

 

[Fedace]

Nice draw.

If Del Potro is really injured like some say, Tsonga will be replacing him.

Otherwise, looking forward to a Nadal-Soderling match and hoping Nadal can draw on his experiences in previous Master's Cups against Djokovic and Davydenko (He's 2-0 against both at the YEC)

What NO??? it was set up perfectly for Roger to go 0-3 in that section...

 

[dropshot winner]

Boy, that's what I thought! They couldn't have picked three more challenging contenders for Rafa. I'm afraid it's Roger who definitely got the cakewalk this time around. :neutral:

LOL, it's always the same.

Davydenko and Söderling both beat Nadal the last time they played him, their collective record against Federer? 0-24

And you know what, JMDP from Federer's group beat Nadal the last 3 times they played.
The only player Nadal would actually like to play from Federer's group is Verdasco.

 

[Mustard]

I'm looking forward to the Nadal vs. Soderling match in particular

 

[flying24]

I see Nadal not even making it out of the RR. I expect Djokovic and Davydenko to beat him, and even if Soderling does not he will probably be eliminated.

Federer and Murray should advance out of the other group easily. If Del Potro plays he will do nothing here based on recent form, and Verdasco will be the whipping boy in this event.

 

[bolo]

soderling, that guy sucks!.......not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[wintintu]

Agreed, I see Federer and Djokovic coming out of each group unbeaten and I see Murray and Davydenko as the runners up. I dont think Nadal will win a match

 

[Bloodshed]

Man this is a nightmare draw for Nadal.

You couldn't really ask for any worse than that (if Del Potro would 100% and would of replaced Davydenko most likely), then it would of been fatal for Nadal.

Nadal will win maybe 1 match.

Federer on the other hand, only Murray will give him trouble. Del Potro will not beat Federer this time around (even if he was 100% healthy) and Verdasco is known for choking.

So it will most likely be Djokovic Federer as the guaranteed RR winners, And Murray/Del Potro, Davydenko/Soderling as runner ups.

 

[tennismsands]

Group A semifinalsts-Murray, Fed
Group B semifinalists-Soderling,Djokovic


My predictions

 

[P_Agony]

This draw is not good for Fed. I'm sure he prefers Djokovic over Murray. Not only does Murray have a winning H2H against Fed, it's also in London, meanning the crowd will go nuts for Murray. JMDP is a problem for him as well, depends on the form. Federer's only sure bet is Verdasco, which he owns.

 

[P_Agony]

Nice draw.

If Del Potro is really injured like some say, Tsonga will be replacing him.

Otherwise, looking forward to a Nadal-Soderling match and hoping Nadal can draw on his experiences in previous Master's Cups against Djokovic and Davydenko (He's 2-0 against both at the YEC)

Didn't Nadal beat Djokovic at 2007 TMC?

 

[Rippy]

LOL, it's always the same.

Davydenko and Söderling both beat Nadal the last time they played him, their collective record against Federer? 0-24

And you know what, JMDP from Federer's group beat Nadal the last 3 times they played.
The only player Nadal would actually like to play from Federer's group is Verdasco.

......

So because Federer is good at beating players, it means every draw he gets is a cakewalk... Who's in Nadal's group? Soderling... what's Fed's record against him? :???: And you conveniently ignore Murray.

 

[grafselesfan]

This draw is not good for Fed. I'm sure he prefers Djokovic over Murray. Not only does Murray have a winning H2H against Fed, it's also in London, meanning the crowd will go nuts for Murray. JMDP is a problem for him as well, depends on the form. Federer's only sure bet is Verdasco, which he owns.

The paranoia of you Fed fans makes me laugh. Del Potro is 1-6 vs Federer which means even in great form he only has a small shot. Right now he is playing worthless tennis, he is lucky to beat a top 30 player. He will be lucky if he wins 1 match here, if Verdasco chokes badly (which he would have to in order to lose to Del Potro in his current form). The only one in Federer's group who he wont roll over easily if he half tries (which with the #1 ranking not sewn up yet he surely will) is Murray. However in current form Federer would likely beat Murray too, and you are completely wrong that Federer would rather play Djokovic than Murray right now.

 

[P_Agony]

The paranoia of you Fed fans makes me laugh. Del Potro is 1-6 vs Federer which means even in great form he only has a small shot. Right now he is playing worthless tennis, he is lucky to beat a top 30 player. He will be lucky if he wins 1 match here, if Verdasco chokes badly (which he would have to in order to lose to Del Potro in his current form). The only one in Federer's group who he wont roll over easily if he half tries (which with the #1 ranking not sewn up yet he surely will) is Murray. However in current form Federer would likely beat Murray too, and you are completely wrong that Federer would rather play Djokovic than Murray right now.

Federer gets frustrated with Murray, and lost to him last year at the TMC. Add the crowd factor, and you are looking at a likely loss. Djokovic always has a tough time against Federer, I believe Fed is a bad matchup for Djokovic.

 

[grafselesfan]

Federer gets frustrated with Murray, and lost to him last year at the TMC. Add the crowd factor, and you are looking at a likely loss. Djokovic always has a tough time against Federer, I believe Fed is a bad matchup for Djokovic.

Even if he lost to Murray he is for sure beating Del Potro and Verdasco so he is advancing. Especialy since Del Potro and Verdasco are for sure losing to Murray too. Neither of those guys will win more than 1 match (whoever wins their match), that is if Del Potro doesnt withdraw altogether or during the event. Federer and Murray out of that pool is a done deal, the only question is who will win their meeting to finish 1st in that pool.

As it is Murray isnt playing that well right now, and Federer easily won their last meeting so Federer has a good chance of winning when they play. I dont think home crowd benefits Murray much. It didnt prevent Murray from losing to Roddick at Wimbledon, a player he has owned since he was 18 years old.

Since Djokovic became a top player he has gone 5-5 vs Federer. I dont see how Federer is a bad matchup for him as you claim. Even in Basel when Djokovic was struggling and needed two players outside the top 15 to choke badly against him to even make the final he beat a seemingly in form Federer (well maybe not so much in the final but leading up to it anyway). Murray has a better head to head, but then again he would lose any meeting on grass or clay, and he has never beaten Federer in a slam as Djokovic has.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I see Nadal not even making it out of the RR. I expect Djokovic and Davydenko to beat him, and even if Soderling does not he will probably be eliminated.

Federer and Murray should advance out of the other group easily. If Del Potro plays he will do nothing here based on recent form, and Verdasco will be the whipping boy in this event.

Sadly I agree with this analysis. I hope Rafa proves us all wrong though!

 

[Blinkism]

Didn't Nadal beat Djokovic at 2007 TMC?

He did. Djokovic didn't play his absolute best, but Nadal dictated a lot of points and played well.

He couldn't translate that form on the court to his match against a more worthy opponent in Federer at the semi's, though.

 

[Fedace]

Are they going to make statues like chinese did ? what kind of neat stuff are these elite tennis players getting from the Barclays. ??? spoiled brats..

 

[lambielspins]

He did. Djokovic didn't play his absolute best, but Nadal dictated a lot of points and played well.

He couldn't translate that form on the court to his match against a more worthy opponent in Federer at the semi's, though.

Any match vs Djokovic at the 2007 TMC cant be taken too seriously as a basis for evaluation. Djokovic was clearly not in that event, he was crushed by everyone in his pool including the likes of likely 1 time only participients David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet whooping him in straight sets.

 

[Ripster]

I'm pleased with these groups; I think they're perfectly divided.

 

[Agassifan]

I can't imagine him "going all out" per his usual style and risking injury in the face of the upcoming Davis Cup, which he's absolutely determined to play and win. He'll be saving all that stuff for DC.

Geez. Premature excuse for Rafa. Haven't seen that one before.

 

[dropshot winner]

Any match vs Djokovic at the 2007 TMC cant be taken too seriously as a basis for evaluation. Djokovic was clearly not in that event, he was crushed by everyone in his pool including the likes of likely 1 time only participients David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet whooping him in straight sets.

I agree, he even lost to Santoro a few weeks earlier.

 

[grafselesfan]

I'm pleased with these groups; I think they're perfectly divided.

I am not sure. I think the Federer and Murray group is weak. I would be shocked if those two didnt advance. Del Potro is out of form and might not even play, and if he does doesnt stand a chance really on current form. Verdasco also doesnt stand a chance in an elite field of only top players given his mental midgetry.

The Djokovic group is alot tougher IMO. Davydenko is much more of a threat than Del Potro or Verdasco right now. Soderling has the benefit of having good matchup history with Davydenko, and to a lesser extent Nadal, which makes him more of a threat, unlike Verdasco and Del Potro who dont stack up well vs the higher ranked players in his group unless Del Potro were playing at 100%.

 

[Ripster]

I am not sure. I think the Federer and Murray group is weak. I would be shocked if those two didnt advance. Del Potro is out of form and might not even play, and if he does doesnt stand a chance really on current form. Verdasco also doesnt stand a chance in an elite field of only top players given his mental midgetry.

The Djokovic group is alot tougher IMO. Davydenko is much more of a threat than Del Potro or Verdasco right now. Soderling has the benefit of having good matchup history with Davydenko, and to a lesser extent Nadal, which makes him more of a threat, unlike Verdasco and Del Potro who dont stack up well vs the higher ranked players in his group unless Del Potro were playing at 100%.

Hmm I suppose if Del Potro isn't 100% (I agree he probably isn't) it makes the Federer group kind of weaker. If he plays like he should then the groups imo would be pretty even. I guess in a perfect world, either Soderling or Davydenko would be switched with one of Del Potro or Verdasco. Usually these YEC have one infinitely stronger group so all things considered I'm pretty happy this year with the groupings.

 

[robin7]

At the first glance, I thought Federer is having a favorable group than Nadal.
But I'm wrong, Murray and Delpo are off-form, and Verdasco is never a threat to Federer.
On the other hand, Djoko, Davydenko & Soderling are in better forms this year as 3 of them have beaten Nadal this year.

Lucky Federer and Poor Nadal.

 

[dropshot winner]

At the first glance, I thought Federer is having a favorable group than Nadal.
But I'm wrong, Murray and Delpo are off-form, and Verdasco is never a threat to Federer.
On the other hand, Djoko, Davydenko & Soderling are in better forms this year as 3 of them have beaten Nadal this year.

Lucky Federer and Poor Nadal.

Soderling and Dayydenko don't seem to be able to beat Federer, even if you switched them it would change nothing except that Nadal could enjoy a free win against Verdasco.

 

[statto]

I just look at it as who of the two options would they rather play.

Murray or Djokovic: Federer would rather play Djokovic, while Nadal would rather play Murray. Both got unlucky here.

Del Potro or Davydenko: Federer won't care, as with the form Del Potro is in neither will be a threat. Nadal would prefer to play an out-of-sorts Del Potro. Nadal gets unlucky here.

Verdasco or Soderling: Once again, Federer won't care, as either will be easy for him to beat. Nadal would prefer Verdasco, as he owns him, regardless of surface. Nadal got unlucky again.

All in all, Nadal got the person he would have least wanted to draw in all three picks. Having said that, I still think he'll beat Soderling, and I think he'd have lost to Murray had he drawn him, so the real downer is drawing Davydenko instead of Del Potro. Federer and Murray will cruise through their group, as will Djokovic. I expect the fourth semi-finalist to be the winner of the Nadal/Davydenko match, probably Davydenko.

 

[Telepatic]

I just look at it as who of the two options would they rather play.

Murray or Djokovic: Federer would rather play Djokovic, while Nadal would rather play Murray. Both got unlucky here.

Del Potro or Davydenko: Federer won't care, as with the form Del Potro is in neither will be a threat. Nadal would prefer to play an out-of-sorts Del Potro. Nadal gets unlucky here.

Verdasco or Soderling: Once again, Federer won't care, as either will be easy for him to beat. Nadal would prefer Verdasco, as he owns him, regardless of surface. Nadal got unlucky again.

Its true Nadal got "unlucky" but still, how come Fed havent placed himself in that "wont care" position in the first place? Thats right, he plays good, knows how to match up with those guys so he wont care.
Its simply Nadal's fault in the first place.
Anyway, I dont think Nadal played that bad recently and he will pick his game up for such a high event, I'm sure.

 

[Outbeyond]

Geez. Premature excuse for Rafa. Haven't seen that one before.

Don't mean it as an excuse, I guess, but Nadal has repeatedly said in the press since his return to the circuit in the Fall that his #1 goal for the rest of the year was to make and win Davis Cup for Spain. He's continued to repeat that throughout Shanghai and Paris and of late. He missed DC last year due to injuries and apparently was highly annoyed over it and doesn't want to miss it again.

I'm not the only one who thinks this could be a compromising factor for Nadal's play in the Barclays tournament. As one analyst wrote recently, if Nadal begins to feel the slightest ominous twinge in some part of his body during a match in London, he may well go easier on himself so as not to risk his chances of injury; he's scheduled to play in DC in early December.

 

[tennismsands]

Group A semifinalsts-Murray, Fed
Group B semifinalists-Soderling,Djokovic


My predictions

Look what i predicted!!!!!!! looks like this is all coming true so far, i love how everyone says soderling sucks..... he wasnt even suppose to be in it and he already made it to the semis!!!