Soooooooooooo that's another ATP tour season over with as today the World Tour Finals drew to a close with a showdown for the third week running between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The match itself was one that we would hope would live up to its billing, and thankfully it did as Federer had to battle with Tsonga in order to get his hands on another finals title. Tsonga in the first set came out firing well, but was in trouble after broke at 3-3 on Tsonga's serve and took the set at 6-3. The second set also threatened to be a similar affair as Federer again broken server early on, however on serving out for the championship at 5-4, Federer uncharacteristically dropped his own serve, to let Tsonga back in the match, which lead to a tense tiebreak, which Tsonga won to take it in a deciding set. But in the final set, it was Federer who delivered the goodies and broke Tsonga at 4-3, and had no such trouble closing out the match this time, winning his record 6th ATP world tour finals title in 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-3.
For a year end championship this was a really good match, and Tsonga deserves a great deal of credit not only for his contribution to the match, but also for his great achievement in getting to the final of such as big title. Tsonga really has proved that he is a special talent, and while he had his chances in the match, he did really well to push the Swiss maestro into a decider, and for another thing it certainly was a better match than last year's final with Nadal and Federer. Tsonga is also back where he belongs in the top 10, and if he carries on like this, he could even break into the top 4, so Andy Murray better watch himself. As for Federer, while he didn't play his best, he certainly showed once again that he is a real champ and has what it takes, even when he is under the cosh, although it was surprising that he dropped his serve in the second set, as normally its something Fedora wouldn't do, even on a championship serve. Regardless Federer has ended the year as the world number 3, and unfortunately for Andy, who worked really hard to try and finish at that spot, its kind of backfired for him, however Federer definitely deserves credit for making such a solid comeback, picking up an impressive hattrick of titles himself on the way.
On a side note regarding Djokovic and Nadal, I was quite surprised to see the manner in which they exited the tournament, as Rafa just struggled right through as did Djokovic. I think their season really came to an end after that US Open 2011 final, as after that they never really recovered, physically or emotionally. And its amazing the difference between Djokovic at the beginning of the year and at the end, at the start he was invincible, and by the end he was fatigued, exhuasted and burnt out. The same with Rafa, who has been on the receiving end of Djokovic, six times over, and has since struggled badly to win any titles since the French Open. But I'm sure next year the two of them will be back strong as ever, but it was ironic to see the world's top two players play so badly. But as I said I'm sure that next year Djoko and Rafa will gear up for action, I also hope the same for Andy too. Andy of course has at least not ended the year burnt out, quite the opposite, just injured, which was a great shame, as I really think he missed a trick by not taking time out for Basel and Paris, as he could have used that time to really get ready for the year end finals. But what's done is done and 2012 is not far away, and I hope next year that Andy will make that breakthrough, whether it be in Melbourne, Paris, London or New York.
Soooooooooooo while ATP tour season has finished, there is still the Davis Cup final between Spain and Argentina, with Rafa and David Ferrer up against David Nalbandian and Juan Martin Del Potro in the singles. Its on the clay in Seville, so hopefully going back to his favourite surface might inspire Rafa, if he wins, maybe he can have another great year next year.
Anywayyyyyy that's the 2011 ATP tour season over with, which again ended with Federer as the year end champion, with 70 titles and counting. It was a great year for tennis and no doubt 2012 will provide more great stuff to come.
So that's it for now, adios.
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