Breaking Down the Field

Written by: Staff on 5th November 2012

Breaking Down the Field

epa03458995 Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic returns to Andy Murray of Britain during their match the ATP World Tour Finals in London, Britain, 05 November 2012. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

A closer look at the matchups on the first day of the Barclay’s ATP World Tour Finals being played at the O2 Arena in London, England:

Group A, Monday Afternoon Session:

DOUBLES: Max Mirnyi/Daniel Nestor vs. Robert Lindstedt/Tecau

The Beast Mirnyi and Nestor are the defending champions having won the title in their first time playing it in 2011. Mirnyi will be making his ninth appearance and Nestor his 14th. Both players have also won the prestigious title with other partners. The pair will face Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau, who also qualified last year. They are coming off four ATP World Tour titles and a Wimbledon final appearance. They did not advance beyond the round robin stage here last year.

SINGLES: Andy Murray vs. Tomas Berdych: This is Murray’s fifth straight year qualifying for Tour Finals and in this breakout year (Olympic Gold and US Open title) we are looking for big things from the Scot. His best result here was a semifinal finish in 2008 and 2010. His most memorable match came against Rafael Nadal in 2010 decided in a third set tie-break. This will be Berdych’s third year in the year’s final event. His best result came last year when he made the semifinals, losing to losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-5.

Group A, Monday Night Session:

DOUBLES: Bob and Mike Bryan vs. Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez: The Californian Bryans Brothers are the favorites and veterans of 11 ATP World Tour Finals, having won the event in 2003, ’04 and ’09. The U.S. pair was also runner-up in 2008. They face a solid Spaniard tandem competing here for the first time. The duo was winners of two ATP World Tour titles this year.

Group A, Monday Night Session:

SINGLES: Novak Djokovic vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Djokovic will be looking to make a return to the winner’s stand having won the event back in 2008. He is making his sixth appearance and has a 9-9 overall record here. Four years ago, the Serbian beat Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 7-5 when the event was held in Shanghai. Tsonga will be hungry to get back to the finals where he reached last year looking to take it one more step further. He has qualified for the second straight year and third time overall (4-3 event record). He reached the final in 2011, losing to Roger Federer 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3.

Roger Federer

Years Qualified: 11

Best Result: Won 2003-04, 2006-07, 2010-11

Six-time champion Roger Federer has qualified for an 11th time after a stunning season that saw him reclaim the World No. 1 ranking. The Swiss will enter this year’s event as the two-time defending champion.

David Ferrer

Years Qualified: 4

Best Result: Runner-up 2007

David Ferrer has qualified for a third straight year and a fourth time overall (6-6 event record). The Spaniard reached the final on his debut in 2007, falling to Roger Federer.

Juan Martin del Potro

Years Qualified: 3

Best Result: Runner-up 2009

Juan Martin del Potro, a winner of four ATP World Tour titles in 2012, has qualified for the first time since 2009 and the third time overall (4-4 event record). He reached the 2009 final, losing to Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4.

Janko Tipsarevic

Years Qualified: 1

Best Result: Group Stage 2011

Janko Tipsarevic served as an alternate in 2011, going 1-1 in round robin play. He has qualified out-right for the first time this year.