2018 ATP Finals RR: (1.) Novak Djokovic vs. (5.) Marin Cilic
- Thread starter Enceladus
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BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Djokovic 6-2, 6-3.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Talk Tennis Guru
Djoker in easy 2 sets! He’s in top form right now!
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Sure, Cilic could retire with an injury (or something else) during the first set.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Beatings.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Djokovic tops the group regardless of what happens here if Isner beats Cilic (he's up a set)
Pheasant
Hall of Fame
Djoker is virtually guaranteed a spot in the semis. Djoker can ease up and still be in the semis. I.e, he doesn't have much to play for.
On the flip side, beating Cilic puts a lot of extra cash in Djoker's pocket.
I am taking Djoker in 3 sets. Cilic will steal a set early, which will tick Djoker off. And when Djoker is ticked, it is lights out.
On the flip side, beating Cilic puts a lot of extra cash in Djoker's pocket.
I am taking Djoker in 3 sets. Cilic will steal a set early, which will tick Djoker off. And when Djoker is ticked, it is lights out.
jm1980
Talk Tennis Guru
He's now 100% guaranteed a spot in the semis
I expect this to be the first match, since a Zverev win over Isner will automatically eliminate Cilic from contention
mightyjeditribble
Hall of Fame
Would be happy for Cilic to win after their tight match in Paris, although I can't say I care too much as I'm not the biggest fan of Cilic.
Doesn't matter anyway. I can't see Novak losing to Cilic here, doesn't matter that he has already qualified for the semis.
Doesn't matter anyway. I can't see Novak losing to Cilic here, doesn't matter that he has already qualified for the semis.
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
Yeah I think 2 but might be 3 since match is a dead rubber basically for Novak
CYGS
Legend
He has to win in 2 given he has less rest time than the other group.
Enceladus
Legend
Link to article: https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/n...er-nitto-atp-finals-2018-friday-preview-nitto
DAY 6 PREVIEW: NOVAK SEEKS 3-0 GROUP PLAY RECORD
Novak Djokovic, who has won his first two matches in Group Guga Kuerten at the Nitto ATP Finals, has already guaranteed his spot in the semi-finals at the season finale in London. But there is one more spot up for grabs in the group, with three hungry players eager to move into the last four.
Alexander Zverev and John Isner will meet during Friday’s day session in a rematch of the Miami Open presented by Itau final, won by Isner.
“Everyone knows how good he is. We've played quite a few times, as well. It will be a very tough match. There are definitely some things I need to improve. I'll try to do that and implement them on Friday,” Isner said. “He does so much well. He serves very well, his groundstrokes are incredible. He's a very tough out... This isn't your everyday tournament. It will be very tough. But I'm going to come out fired up.”
All five of the pair’s FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings have come at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events, with Zverev leading their series 4-1. But perhaps the most important match of the bunch was in Miami, where Isner became the oldest first-time winner at a Masters 1000 event. And this time around, if Isner wins in straight sets and Djokovic beats Marin Cilic, the Nitto ATP Finals debutant will go through to the semi-finals at The O2.
“It's very weird, to think I've lost twice but still have a shot. I guess that's the advantage of having a guy like Novak in your group,” Isner said. “We'll see if I can do it. It's going to be very tough, no doubt.”
Zverev lost to Djokovic in straight sets on Wednesday, at points getting frustrated by errors he was making. But the German knows that he must refocus in order to push for his second victory of the week. If the 21-year-old triumphs, he will move on.
“I don't want to think about it too much because in two days' time I will give myself the best chance I can to be in the semi-finals. That's where I think I'll take it as a normal quarter-final match at a normal tournament,” Zverev said. “To be in the semi-finals here would mean a lot to me. For that, I have to play good tennis.”
In the evening session, Djokovic will look to finish round-robin play at the Nitto ATP Finals undefeated for the fifth time when he clashes against Cilic. The Croatian needs to beat the World No. 1 and for Isner to defeat Zverev if he wants to advance in London for the first time in his fourth appearance.
While Cilic knows he faces a tough task — Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 16-2 — the 30-year-old has tested the Serbian in all three of their meetings this year. Just two weeks ago, Cilic pushed the eventual runner-up to three sets in the Rolex Paris Masters quarter-finals. And in their first meeting of 2018 at The Queen’s Club, Cilic saved match point against Djokovic in the final en route to lifting the ATP World Tour 500 trophy.
“It was a great match, tough one in Paris, similar conditions to here,” Cilic said. “I feel that Novak is playing really good tennis and I just have to keep playing well. Obviously to serve well is going to be critical and I hope I’m going to be ready and have another great match.”
DAY 6 PREVIEW: NOVAK SEEKS 3-0 GROUP PLAY RECORD
Novak Djokovic, who has won his first two matches in Group Guga Kuerten at the Nitto ATP Finals, has already guaranteed his spot in the semi-finals at the season finale in London. But there is one more spot up for grabs in the group, with three hungry players eager to move into the last four.
Alexander Zverev and John Isner will meet during Friday’s day session in a rematch of the Miami Open presented by Itau final, won by Isner.
“Everyone knows how good he is. We've played quite a few times, as well. It will be a very tough match. There are definitely some things I need to improve. I'll try to do that and implement them on Friday,” Isner said. “He does so much well. He serves very well, his groundstrokes are incredible. He's a very tough out... This isn't your everyday tournament. It will be very tough. But I'm going to come out fired up.”
All five of the pair’s FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings have come at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events, with Zverev leading their series 4-1. But perhaps the most important match of the bunch was in Miami, where Isner became the oldest first-time winner at a Masters 1000 event. And this time around, if Isner wins in straight sets and Djokovic beats Marin Cilic, the Nitto ATP Finals debutant will go through to the semi-finals at The O2.
“It's very weird, to think I've lost twice but still have a shot. I guess that's the advantage of having a guy like Novak in your group,” Isner said. “We'll see if I can do it. It's going to be very tough, no doubt.”
Zverev lost to Djokovic in straight sets on Wednesday, at points getting frustrated by errors he was making. But the German knows that he must refocus in order to push for his second victory of the week. If the 21-year-old triumphs, he will move on.
“I don't want to think about it too much because in two days' time I will give myself the best chance I can to be in the semi-finals. That's where I think I'll take it as a normal quarter-final match at a normal tournament,” Zverev said. “To be in the semi-finals here would mean a lot to me. For that, I have to play good tennis.”
In the evening session, Djokovic will look to finish round-robin play at the Nitto ATP Finals undefeated for the fifth time when he clashes against Cilic. The Croatian needs to beat the World No. 1 and for Isner to defeat Zverev if he wants to advance in London for the first time in his fourth appearance.
While Cilic knows he faces a tough task — Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 16-2 — the 30-year-old has tested the Serbian in all three of their meetings this year. Just two weeks ago, Cilic pushed the eventual runner-up to three sets in the Rolex Paris Masters quarter-finals. And in their first meeting of 2018 at The Queen’s Club, Cilic saved match point against Djokovic in the final en route to lifting the ATP World Tour 500 trophy.
“It was a great match, tough one in Paris, similar conditions to here,” Cilic said. “I feel that Novak is playing really good tennis and I just have to keep playing well. Obviously to serve well is going to be critical and I hope I’m going to be ready and have another great match.”
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
Actually he is the shinning light in this otherwise dark world.
acintya
Legend
i like him when he is himself. but when he tries too hard to be funny - its kinda lame.
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
That's my favorite part of him. Trying too hard to be funny made me a fan
Night Slasher
Semi-Pro
This match doesn't change anything, Nole is already #1 in is group and will play Anderson in the semifinal tomorrow. Zverev is #2 and will play Fed.
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
You do know that trying too hard to be funny is a part of his character as well.
He isn't Stone Cold Steve Austin...
acintya
Legend
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
you are right - i didnt think in that way
There can never be another Stone Cold. Always remember that.
TheAssassin
Legend
Nicely constructed point finished with a volley to hold.
TheAssassin
Legend
Love that perfectionist attitude but tit would be a bit over the top if he does it in a match that has no impact on his progress at the tournament.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
There can never be another Stone Cold. Always remember that.
And that's the bottom line.
D
Deleted member 763024
Guest
Is this Djokovic in 2nd gear right now?
I’ll have a light workout before dinner mode.
I’ll have a light workout before dinner mode.
D
Deleted member 763024
Guest
When Novak goes long on a groundstroke it feels like how is that even possible? He’s just so solid 99% of the time off both wings.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Red Rick
Bionic Poster
Every error he makes is unforced. Djokovic shouldn't miss
TheAssassin
Legend
Pretty much. It might be just me doing my own little "handwringering", but I feel like he will have to play better than this against Anderson and potentially Federer.
Holding comfortably so far though.
Red Rick
Bionic Poster
Definitely handwringering. Anderson is easecake. Fed too probably
TheAssassin
Legend
You're not going to intimidate Novak with those Fed masks, guys.
D
Deleted member 763024
Guest
Second coming of Jesus?
D
Deleted member 763024
Guest
Cilic showing signs of life. Nice hold
Red Rick
Bionic Poster
Gotta keep your pidgeon down
TheAssassin
Legend
Jeez the crowd is really involved.
Edit: Apart from hypothetical peak aggressive Mury.
On indoor hard court I highly doubt it. Always Novak's toughest match up IMO.
Edit: Apart from hypothetical peak aggressive Mury.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Tough service hold there.
Night Slasher
Semi-Pro
He will tank in that case if he's smart.
D
Deleted member 763024
Guest
Novaks mum hates the camera zooming in on her.
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