Typically a picture of calm, regardless of the score, Roger Federer still grapples with much of the same internal dialogues as his peers at crunch times on court. The 36-year-old conceals it better than most, but during a three-set triumph over Alexander Zverev at the Nitto ATP Finals on Tuesday, he admits he let it bubble to the surface at times. Having already qualified for his 14th semi-final in 15 appearances at the season finale, there is less chance of much frustration showing in his final round-robin clash against No. 7 seed Marin Cilic on Thursday. Even a man playing as freely and confidently as Federer in 2017, though, needs to give himself a pep talk in the heat of...
Thursday evening’s match between third-seeded Alexander Zverev and eighth-seeded Jack Sock might be the final clash of Group Boris Becker play, but the stakes cannot be any higher. The winner moves onto the semi-finals at The O2; the loser's debut at the Nitto ATP Finals comes to an end. Roger Federer has clinched the top spot in the group by beating both Zverev and Sock. But since both season finale debutants defeated Marin Cilic to claim 1-1 records, the winner between the two will finish second and earn a spot in the final four in London. Watch Querrey's Match Preview So while Zverev was disappointed to lose a tough three-setter against Federer on Tuesday in which he looked at least...
Not content to rest on his laurels, David Goffin knows it is all still to play for at the Nitto ATP Finals on Wednesday after his upset of World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in his opening match. While acknowledging that the Spaniard wasn’t at his physical best, the Belgian’s confidence will be sky-high when he takes on No. 6 seed Grigor Dimitrov in Group Pete Sampras. Semi-final berths are up for grabs. Should Goffin back up his defeat of Nadal with a straight-sets result over the Bulgarian, he will automatically qualify. If he prevails in three sets, he will need Pablo Carreno Busta to defeat Dominic Thiem. If Dimitrov wins, regardless of the score, he will qualify for Saturday’s semi-final....
It's not often that an alternate steps into the fray at the Nitto ATP Finals and has the chance to make an immediate impact. But that's exactly the opportunity that awaits Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday in London. Carreno Busta will be thrown into the cauldron under the bright lights and vibrant atmosphere at The O2, with a spot in the semi-finals still very much up for grabs. The Spaniard entered the tournament when countryman Rafael Nadal withdrew due to a right knee injury. "I dreamt a lot of times to be here and play," said Carreno Busta on Tuesday. "I think it's a big opportunity for me. I will try to do my best. I think I have no...
Fifth-seeded Marin Cilic and eighth-seeded Jack Sock did not get off to their desired start at the Nitto ATP Finals. But they both can take a step in the right direction when they face off in the afternoon singles match at The O2 on Tuesday. Both players had very different openers in London. Cilic looked to be in control against the youngest player in the field, third-seeded Alexander Zverev, leading by a break in the third set. But the German won five of the final six games to shock the Croatian. Cilic’s record fell to 1-6 at the Nitto ATP Finals, which he is playing in for the third time. Watch Querrey Preview Cilic Vs. Sock Sock, on the other...
