RICKY’S PICKS FOR DAY 5 OF THE WORLD TOUR FINALS: FEDERER VS. MURRAY, NISHIKORI VS. RAONIC

Written by: Staff on 12th November 2014

RICKY'S PICKS FOR DAY 5 OF THE WORLD TOUR FINALS: FEDERER VS. MURRAY, NISHIKORI VS. RAONIC

epa04483391 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 |

By Ricky Dimon

If the London faithful got to choose, both Roger Federer and Andy Murray would be a part of Saturday’s semifinals. And that still is a possibility even though the two fan favorites have to face each other on Thursday night at the World Tour Finals. Federer will already be through even before he takes the court if Kei Nishikori fails to beat Milos Raonic in straight sets.

(2) Roger Federer vs. (5) Andy Murray

Federer and Murray will be facing each other for the 23rd time in their careers. The head-to-head series is all tied up at 11 wins apiece, including 10-10 on hard courts. Federer has won both of their previous meetings this season; 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 in the Australian Open quarterfinals and 6-3, 7-5 in Cincinnati. Murray’s last victory over the 17-time Grand Slam champion came via a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-2 decision in the 2013 Aussie Open semis.

Britain’s Andy Murray serves to Canada’s Milos Raonic during their match for the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 11 November 2014. EPA/ANDY RAIN

They have squared off three times at this event in London, with Federer having prevailed on all three occasions. He won round-robin matches in 2009 and 2010 before getting the job done in a 2012 semifinal showdown. Murray does have one year-end championship win over Federer: 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 in round-robin action at the 2008 Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Federer is in perfect shape to qualify for the semifinals and would have already done so if Murray had not defeated Raonic in straight sets on Tuesday night. He has situated himself well by getting the best of Raonic 6-1, 7-6(0) and Nishikori 6-3, 6-2.

Murray’s week began with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Nishikori but his 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Raonic kept his chances alive and well. Being ousted prior to the semis would be disappointing for the sixth-ranked Scot, especially since he fared so well earlier this fall just to punch his ticket to the World Tour Finals. Murray captured titles in Shenzhen, Vienna, and in Valencia after a drama-filled thriller against Tommy Robredo.

In all likelihood, the Swiss’ semifinal fate will be sealed before this one begins. Murray, meanwhile, needs a win. If he gets it, there is a great chance the crowd will see both men progress to the weekend.

(4) Kei Nishikori vs. (7) Milos Raonic

Japan’s Kei Nishikori returns to Britain’s Andy Murray during the ATP World Tour Finals mens tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 09 November 2014. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Raonic and Nishikori will be colliding for the sixth time in their careers. Nishikori leads the head-to-head series 4-1, having prevailed twice in succession after going down to Raonic 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3 at Wimbledon. The Japanese star won a 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-4 U.S. Open thriller and most recently got the best of his opponent 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 in the Tokyo final.

Both men are hoping to bounce back from tough defeats on Tuesday. The good news for Nishikori is that his 6-3, 6-2 loss to Federer was preceded by his defeat of Murray. With a 1-1 record and Murray set to run into an in-form Federer, Nishikori still has a real chance to reach the semifinals.

Raonic is in dire straights after dropping his opener to Federer and then succumbing to Murray. The only way for the eighth-ranked Canadian to keep himself in semifinal contention is to beat Nishikori in straight sets. Even with a three-set win, he would be eliminated.

The surface in London is playing fair, generally taking the various spins (slices stay low, heavy topspin jumps off the court, etc.), but also slow. As Federer and others have indicated, the best movers as opposed to the biggest hitters have an advantage.

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

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp, Kei Nishikori, milos raonic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis, tennis update, World Tour Finals

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10sBalls_com says:

November 12, 2014 at 11:59 am

RICKY’S PICKS FOR DAY 5 OF THE #WorldTourFinals: @rogerfederer VS @andy_murray @keinishikori VS @milosraonic- http://t.co/QEtV0Re4Jn #tennis