The opening day of the ATP World Tour Finals looks like a wonderful way to get the tournament up and running with four of the best singles players in the game showcasing their talents and four top class doubles pairings in action as well.
Among the standout names on show on the first day of competition is the former champion Roger Federer. We have to wait until the evening for him but the home crowds will get to see the one Brit in action in the afternoon session of action.
Afternoon Session
Jamie Murray & Bruno Soares vs Raven Klaasen & Michael Venus
The first match of the tournament sees the classy pairing of Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares taking on the pair of Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus who have both been here before but with other partners.
To be fair to both pairs they have to have played some nice stuff to have made it to this tournament. To be fair to Klaasen and Venus they haven’t really done a huge amount since the Rogers Cup final. Murray and Soares have lost their last three matches coming into the tournament though so this feels like a match that is best left alone.
Kevin Anderson vs Dominic Thiem
The first singles match of the ATP World Tour Finals sees the tournament debutant Kevin Anderson taking on a man with whom he has had many tough tussles in Dominic Thiem with a valuable win at stake.
Roger Federer is in this group so both men know if they want to give themselves the best chance of progressing then they need to win this match which should make this one an extremely competitive encounter, much like most of the matches they have played in the past.
I think we’re going to see a lengthy encounter here. The last five hard court matches that have been completed between these two have seen nine of their 14 sets go to tiebreaks and one of the other five went 7-5 so lengthy sets between these two is not uncommon. Given what is at stake I wouldn’t be surprised if this goes three sets but even if it doesn’t there is enough to suggest that the match will contain more than 23.5 games.
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Evening Session
Juan Sebastian Cabal & Robert Farah vs Nikola Mektic & Alexander Peya
The opening show in the evening session on the first day of action sees the Colombian pairing of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah taking on the European pair of Nikola Mektic and Alexander Peya for an opening victory.
Both pairings are making their debuts in the tournament this year although Peya has been here before which might be significant. He is coming back from a lengthy lay off in this tournament though so there is a fitness issue for him. You wouldn’t think he would play if he isn’t fit though and assuming he is fine I fancy the European pair to win this.
They have won the last two meetings between the pair albeit on clay but it shows they don’t fear the Colombians. I always think the doubles pairs who are strong favourites can struggle to get going in this tournament and we often see upsets as a result. This can be another one assuming Peya has recovered sufficiently.
Roger Federer vs Kei Nishikori
The Sunday action closes with the favourite to come through this group in Roger Federer taking on a Kei Nishikori who returns to the tournament after his injury problems of the last year or two in what is the standout contest of the day.
Federer is a warm favourite to back up his recent China and Paris wins over Nishikori but in each of their last four meetings the Japanese star has been very competitive. I will take him being competitive here because that keeps his qualifying chances firmly alive. If he can take a set then wonderful. More than that is a big bonus as I’m on him outright. For this match though I’m happy to sit this one out.
Tips
Back K.Anderson vs D.Thiem – Over 23.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with BetVictor
Back it here:
Back N.Mektic & A.Peya to beat J-S.Cabal & R.Farah for a 3/10 stake at 2.50 with Betfred
Back them here:
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