Week 46 - ATP Tour Finals 2016 - O2, London

Jaffa · Challenger level

Week 46 - ATP Tour Finals 2016 - O2, London

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

So the best way for Andy to be as far ahead in the rankings as possible at the end of the week, is to finish 2nd in his group, (meaning he would probably have to lose 1 match) and then to take Djokovic out in the SF stage. A single RR loss for Andy would cost him 200 points, but beating Djokovic in the SF instead of the final would deny Novak an additional 400 points, giving Andy a net gain of 200 points.

Miriambee · Futures level

Bob in Spain wrote:
So the best way for Andy to be as far ahead in the rankings as possible at the end of the week, is to finish 2nd in his group, (meaning he would probably have to lose 1 match) and then to take Djokovic out in the SF stage. A single RR loss for Andy would cost him 200 points, but beating Djokovic in the SF instead of the final would deny Novak an additional 400 points, giving Andy a net gain of 200 points.

impeccable logic, however the big IF is whether Andy can beat Novak, whatever stage it is.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Jaffa wrote:
Congrats on 20k posts SC!

Thank you. smile

the addict · Tennis legend

Miriambee wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
So the best way for Andy to be as far ahead in the rankings as possible at the end of the week, is to finish 2nd in his group, (meaning he would probably have to lose 1 match) and then to take Djokovic out in the SF stage. A single RR loss for Andy would cost him 200 points, but beating Djokovic in the SF instead of the final would deny Novak an additional 400 points, giving Andy a net gain of 200 points.

impeccable logic, however the big IF is whether Andy can beat Novak, whatever stage it is.

Of course, the danger in that is if Andy should lose to him in the semifinal, and Novak goes on to win the title, a fair gap would open up again

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Think positive people. Andy is going to beat Novak.

Shhh · Challenger level

Bob in Spain wrote:
So the best way for Andy to be as far ahead in the rankings as possible at the end of the week, is to finish 2nd in his group, (meaning he would probably have to lose 1 match) and then to take Djokovic out in the SF stage. A single RR loss for Andy would cost him 200 points, but beating Djokovic in the SF instead of the final would deny Novak an additional 400 points, giving Andy a net gain of 200 points.

That is taking "cunning plans" to new levels Bob. Remind me never to play poker with you!

indiana · Tennis legend

Interesting idea

I'd say though that the cards in the upcoming months are pretty stacked in Andy's favour. Novak has to outscore Andy up to the start of the clay court season by even more than he did last year, and that was a lot. Novak has a huge amount to defend, and Andy much scope to do better than he did last time round, certainly in the Spring American Masters events.

The more rough parity there is in points scoring works in Andy's favour so while of course he'd likely win ( ) it's not generally in his interests to have potential big swing situations, even supposing he could safely manufacture coming 2nd ( and yes we know he never would anyway ).

Interesting, but flawed, hold on to these poker chips and play it cool

.... and just winning the title here however will see Andy as end of year #1 quite apart from what next year brings.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 16th of November 2016 02:32:00 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Nae bother

Particularly liked Andy's "unreturnable" second serve that Kei belted just long at the start of the final game. Good stuff, Bouncy

indiana · Tennis legend

(1) Andy Murray WR 1 beat (5) Kei Nishikori (JPN) WR 5 (CH 4 in March last year) 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4 in 3 hours 20 minutes, apparently the longest match in the 02's stagings of the World Tour Finals.

A win for Cilic vs Stan and Andy is in the SF as group winner.

A Stan win leaves it open, but I believe at worst Andy will need to win one set on Friday to reach the SF.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 16th of November 2016 05:52:40 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
So the best way for Andy to be as far ahead in the rankings as possible at the end of the week, is to finish 2nd in his group, (meaning he would probably have to lose 1 match) and then to take Djokovic out in the SF stage. A single RR loss for Andy would cost him 200 points, but beating Djokovic in the SF instead of the final would deny Novak an additional 400 points, giving Andy a net gain of 200 points.

Well that didn't go to plan, did it. wink

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I fear Stan may be on early holidays, and Andy will go and win the group.

JonH · All-time great

Very intense, another epic performance - I think it is the longest match at the O2 since the event started here. Andy's match with Cilic seemed very heavy and intense as well, maybe with him being #1 the other guys are more up for it and it feels a little like two middlewight boxers fighting it out for the belt. Good stuff.

Hard to say how Stan and Cilic will play out, my instinct is Cilic as Stan looked wiped in first RR match. That would mean Cilic v Kei and Raonic v Thiem would effectively be quarterfinals with Andy joining Novak in semis. Fingers crossed!

TMH · Futures qualifying

Thank god for that. Great result that, I wasn't particularly confident before the match (taking into account first round performances, their most recent match here and their most recent match period) but Murray battled brilliantly.

Murray is through if he wins at least one set on Friday or Cilic wins either of his matches. Or to flip it, only way he doesn't go through is if Wawrinka wins tonight, beats him in straights on Friday and Nishikori beats Cilic.

Unlikely, but certainly far from impossible. We've seen stranger things happen here so I remain nervous. Hopefully Cilic can put my mind at ease tonight.

the addict · Tennis legend

Monfils has pulled out with an injury, so Djokovic gets to play Goffin instead. Looks like another 200 points on his way.