Fed out to finish with a flourish
ROGER FEDERER and Novak Djokovic will this weekend try to lift what is supposed to be the climax to the men’s season from the mediocrity into which it has slumped at the O2 this week.
So far the singles at the Nitto ATP Finals has been underwhelming, although there was a bonus for home fans with Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares reaching today’s doubles semi-finals.
The last four of the main event was settled yesterday when Alex Zverev defeated John Isner 7-6, 6-3. The 21-year-old German’s win was the 10th out of 11 to end in straight sets. It was also enough to render last night’s closing group match between Djokovic and Marin Cilic irrelevant to this weekend’s line-up.
Zverev will face Federer this afternoon while tonight Djokovic takes on South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. In an event shorn of Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro due to injury, a Sunday night clash between Federer and world No 1 Djokovic would be as good as it gets.
Zverev has been complaining about the length of the season this week, which may be a factor in the modest standard of play so far.
He will make one last push today under the tutelage of coach Ivan Lendl, whom he insists has not been brought in specifically to beef up his forehand.
‘You guys keep thinking that my forehand is c**p,’ said Zverev. ‘I don’t know why. My forehand is a very good shot, actually.’
Britain’s Murray and Brazilian Soares are first in action this afternoon against American pair Mike Bryan and Jack Sock. Murray and Soares will hope to make it third time lucky, having gone out at this stage twice in three years.