RICKY’S PICKS FOR DAY 3 OF THE WORLD TOUR FINALS: FEDERER VS. NISHIKORI, MURRAY VS. RAONIC

Written by: Staff on 10th November 2014

RICKY'S PICKS FOR DAY 3 OF THE WORLD TOUR FINALS: FEDERER VS. NISHIKORI, MURRAY VS. RAONIC

epa04482821 Japan's Kei Nishikori returns to Britain's Andy Murray during his 2 set win over the Briton at the ATP World Tour Finals mens tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 09 November 2014. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

By Ricky Dimon

Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori are in good shape after winning their first matches at the World Tour Finals and one will have either officially clinched or almost clinched a semifinal spot after they face each other on Tuesday. Andy Murray and Milos Raonic, on the other hand, are in dire need of a victory following opening losses.

(2) Roger Federer vs. (4) Kei Nishikori

Federer and Nishikori will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers on Tuesday afternoon. They have split their four previous encounters at two wins apiece, including 1-1 on hard courts. Their most recent meeting took place on the grass of Halle, where Federer prevailed 6-3, 7-6(4).

Both men got off to a 1-0 start in London on Sunday. Nishikori kicked off the week with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Murray before Federer beat Raonic 6-1, 7-6(0).

Federer has lost only one match since the U.S. Open (to Raonic in Paris), a stretch that includes titles in Shanghai and Basel. Nishikori also owns two titles in his fall collection–Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. Combined, they are a whopping 28-3 since the Grand Slam season ended.

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after winning against Milos Raonic of Canada in the singles group B match at the men’s ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 09 November 2014. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

As their past history against each other indicates, this one should be competitive–especially with each competitor playing so well right now. Nishikori causes for problems for Federer by playing right on top of the baseline and taking away his opponent’s timing, most affecting the Swiss’ one-handed backhand. That being said, the world No. 5 served at a mere 46 percent against Murray and double-faulted eight times. Federer fired five aces, double-faulted only twice, and never dropped serve versus Raonic. If Nishikori is unable to dictate baseline play–and he won’t be able to if those serving trends continue–he will be in trouble.

(5) Andy Murray vs. (7) Milos Raonic

Murray will have to get back on track in a hurry at the World Tour Finals if he wants to have a chance of reaching the semis. He has home-court advantage of sorts in London, but it hardly mattered in his straight-set loss to Nishikori.

The sixth-ranked Scot now has a tough test on his hands against Raonic, who has been a problem for Murray in the past. The 23-year-old Canadian leads the head-to-head series 3-1, including 2-1 on hard courts and 1-0 this season. He has won two in a row after prevailing 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(4) at the 2012 Tokyo event and 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 this spring in Indian Wells.

Milos Raonic of Canada returns the ball against Roger Federer of Switzerland in the singles group B match at the men’s ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 09 November 2014. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Unlike Murray, Raonic steadily improved as first match of the week progressed. The world No. 8 generated four break points in the second set–including one set point–before collapsing in the tiebreaker. Still, he is 49-19 for the season and is coming off a runner-up finish in Paris.

Although Murray is generally at outstanding returner, he has always struggled against Raonic and he also failed to capitalize on a dreadful serving day by Nishikori. Don’t be surprised if this is the continuation of tough week in London for one of the crowd favorites.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Atp, Barclays World Tour, Federer, milos raonic, Ricky Dimon, tennis updates

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10sBalls_com says:

November 10, 2014 at 1:02 pm

RICKY’S (@RD_Tennistalk) PICKS FOR DAY 3 OF THE #ATPWORLDTOURFINALS: @rogerfederer VS. NISHIKORI, MURRAY VS. RAONIC- http://t.co/3wkKN8w5r0
RD_Tennistalk says:

November 10, 2014 at 1:18 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: RICKY’S (@RD_Tennistalk) PICKS FOR DAY 3 OF THE #ATPWORLDTOURFINALS: @rogerfederer VS. NISHIKORI, MURRAY VS. RAONIC- http…