The round robin stage is in the books at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and we are set for a sizzling semi-final Saturday in both tournaments as we head towards the climax of the season at the o2 Arena in London.
The battle for number one remains the centre of attention in the singles draw while in the doubles we have four solid pairs ready to fight it out for the title and in the form of Bruno Soares, the individual number one doubles player spot.
Afternoon Session
Doubles – Henri Kontinen & John Peers vs Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan
The opening match of the day should be a cracking match. Kontinen and Peers were our outright fancies heading into the tournament and nothing has changed after watching them dominate their group with three wins from three. You have to say the Bryans have looked up for this so it should be quality.
I do think Kontinen and Peers will win this match and if they were odds against as they would have been before the tournament then I would have backed them but there isn’t much value in the odds on quotes so I’ll sit this one out in the hope they win.
Singles – Andy Murray vs Milos Raonic
The world number one looks to extend his lead at the top of the rankings when he takes on the current world number three Milos Raonic in the opening semi-final. Neither player has been beyond this round in this tournament so one of them will make a bit of personal history.
Andy Murray has got better as this tournament has gone along but Milos Raonic has played some sensational stuff at times too so I think we’re in for a class semi-final. These two have already been the distance in the Australian Open semi-final and the Queens final this year and I fancy they might well go the distance again. Over 22.5 games looks to have every chance with the way both hit the ball and how their styles clash nicely.
Evening Session
Doubles – Jamie Murray & Bruno Soares vs Rajeev Ram & Raven Klaasen
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares will end the year as the number one pairing in the world but now it is about adding the World Tour Finals to their Australian Open and US Open crowns and if they are to do that they need to come through here.
Rajeev Ram and Raven Klaasen did well to come past the Lopez’s in what was essentially a quarter final on Friday night but to me they’ve taken advantage of two poor sides in front of them rather than done anything special themselves so I think they’ll be found out here and found out in straight sets.
Singles – Novak Djokovic vs Kei Nishikori
Novak Djokovic will look to continue his dominance against Kei Nishikori on Saturday evening. The Serb has won their last nine meetings and in truth they have all been fairly one sided even in the matches that Nishikori has taken a set in so the Japanese player has a tough task ahead of him here.
It isn’t just in their mental battle that Nishikori might have it tough here. He could have it tough physically having gone three sets in his last two matches including that ridiculous marathon against Murray on Wednesday and the way he faded against Marin Cilic on Friday was concerning to say the least. Djokovic has no such issues and I think he will have more than enough to come through here and unless Nishikori receives an energy boost in the 24hrs since he last played I expect Djokovic to win with a bit in hand.
Tips
WON – Back A.Murray vs M.Raonic – Over 22.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Boylesports
Back it here:
Back J.Murray & B.Soares to beat R.Ram & R.Klaasen 2-0 for a 4/10 stake at 2.40 with William Hill
Back them here:
WON – Back N.Djokovic (-4.5 games) to beat K.Nishikori for a 3/10 stake at 2.10 with Bet365
Back him here:
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