The first half of the group stages of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals end on Thursday and by the end of the night we will know half of the semi-final line up in both draws. Both the singles and the doubles group involved in Thursday’s action at the o2 Arena have things to settle which should make for some exciting and dramatic tennis with all the various permutations around.
Afternoon Session
Doubles – Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan vs Max Mirnyi & Trent Huey
The equation is pretty simple here. The Bryans need to win to keep things in their own hands in terms of qualification while Mirnyi and Huey know they are out of the tournament and are playing purely for pride.
On what we’ve seen this week I fully expect the Bryans to win the match but their need to win has been factored into the price which isn’t anything special it has to be said so I’m happy to sit out this match although it should be a 2-0 win for the Bryans unless they get twitchy.
Singles – Novak Djokovic vs David Goffin
You might wonder where David Goffin sprung up from. Well he was the first alternate for the tournament after Tomas Berdych didn’t fancy hanging around and the Belgian has been rewarded for his patience because Gael Monfils has decided his injuries are too serious for him to get back onto the court so it is Goffin who will take on an already qualified Novak Djokovic.
Monfils had lost his opening two matches anyway so there is no chance of Goffin qualifying for the semi-finals so apart from Djokovic’s quest for the world number one spot and the ranking points and a win would provide towards that this is a dead rubber really and I’m not one to bet on them so I’ll leave this alone especially given we don’t know the form of Goffin this week.
Evening Session
Doubles – Jamie Murray & Bruno Soares vs Marcelo Melo & Ivan Dodig
Two pairs have stood out in the doubles matches this week and one of them play here in the form of Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares. They have been exemplary in their play in this tournament and now that the French number one pair are out of the tournament these two will be eyeing up the number one team spot between now and the end of the week.
Melo and Dodig need to better the result of the Bryans earlier in the day if they are to qualify but I don’t see them winning this one. I think Murray and Soares are playing some really good stuff and I expect them to have too much for a Melo who hasn’t looked great this week and a Dodig who seems to be waiting to get with Granollers for next season. I’ll take the Australian Open and US Open champions to win 2-0.
Singles – Milos Raonic vs Dominic Thiem
There are lots of equations for players in the two groups heading into the final round of matches but for Milos Raonic and Dominic Thiem it is quite simple. This is a knockout match for the right to go into the semi-finals probably as runners up in the group.
Both men have seen off Gael Monfils in straight sets and both have gone down to Novak Djokovic although Thiem did take a set off the world number two which might give him some confidence. Raonic might not have taken a set off Djokovic but I reckon he played the best he has ever played against him on Tuesday night.
The Canadian powered more than 40 winners past Djokovic in two sets of tennis and when you consider the defensive skills of the Serbian that is some feat. There were fitness doubts over Raonic at the start of the week but they have gone now and given that Thiem went three gruelling sets on Tuesday I expect Raonic to dominate this and get stronger the longer it goes on. He can win 2-0.
Tips
Back J.Murray & B.Soares to beat M.Melo & I.Dodig 2-0 for a 3/10 stake at 2.50 with Paddy Power
Back them here:
WON – Back M.Raonic to beat D.Thiem 2-0 for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with William Hill
Back him here:
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