Andy has a much better H2H against Delpo than against Berdych. That is the one person I was hoping would be in the other group. Andy will however have to play well in any match here, there are no free rides. (Well maybe Fed v Ferrer, H2H is 13:0). Andy starts off against Berdych on Monday afternoon, and it will be on BBC2.
-- Edited by Madeline on Saturday 3rd of November 2012 11:01:31 PM
Group A ( starts Monday ) : Djokovic, Murray, Berdych, Tsonga
Group B ( starts Tuesday ) : Federer, Ferrer, Del Potro, Tipsarevic
Clearly overall A is the tougher group, but largely because it is the one Murray is in rather than Ferrer.
As for Andy himself, I don't think it's that bad. I kind of think Fed may be more motivated and focussed than Djokovic and Del Potro at least as much of a handful as Berdych, though you'ed probably like to get Tipsy.
A lot will depend on how much of their potential best each player brings to the O2.
Well, I say all. but David Ferrer was missing. Some ludicrous excuse about still playing in some other tennis tournament where he's reach the final. some Paris Masters thingy. Who is he playing, some Janowicz guy, yeah top tournament, David, clearly just couldn't be bothered with putting in the commitment to give the sponsors etc something back. Take, take, from some guys, gee that other Spaniard, Nadal, has decided he can't be bothered at all with it.
Look, if this Paris thing was really important the ATP would never have scheduled it in the week before the WTF with a final the day before the WTF starts with all the disruption that would cause. If the semis in Paris were filled with the top players then you would only have half of them at the Gala, but fortunately the rest of them knew their priorities. Yeah, got you there David, any excuse, see ya when you eventually feel like turning up !
Group A ( starts Monday ) : Djokovic, Murray, Berdych, Tsonga
Group B ( starts Tuesday ) : Federer, Ferrer, Del Potro, Tipsarevic
Clearly overall A is the tougher group, but largely because it is the one Murray is in rather than Ferrer.
As for Andy himself, I don't think it's that bad. I kind of think Fed may be more motivated and focussed than Djokovic and Del Potro at least as much of a handful as Berdych, though you'ed probably like to get Tipsy.
A lot will depend on how much of their potential best each player brings to the O2.
Yes, A is the worst possible group, for everone in it. Especially as Ferrer will be tired from Paris, and I think he'll be rolled over 3 times.
I was really worried about that match, I had been hoping he would face Tsonga first. Battled through - and as Tim Henman has just said (just before my other half changed the channel!) there are no extra points for style, a win is a win. With the RR format a win in straight sets would have been better, but I'll worry about that later.
I was at the O2 for today's match - decent win for Andy after losing a first set where he was on top but missed all 7 break points (mainly due to Berdych pulling off big serves at the crucial moments). Once Andy got the break in the second set there only looked like being one winner.
However, one sloppy game could have put Berdych right back in it so it was a good professional job.