Oooooohhhhh dear

Well this isn't the news I wanted to open this post with, as its to do with the ATP world tour finals matches that have taken place so far.

Quickly an update on the first day's matches, which featured a brief but entertaining 3 setter between Federer and Tsonga, who after a set apiece, Tsonga had a chance to take things further, unfortunately however he dropped his own serve at 4-4, and handed Federer the break to take the match.  On the other match of the day (or evening) was a real battle between an ailing Rafa Nadal and the American No.1 Mardy Fish.  Rafa right from the start didn't look right, as he apparently had struggled with an upset stomach after apparently having salmon pasta (I must admit I wouldn't like to try that!) prior to the match.  Despite that Rafa managed to take the opening set easily, but in the 2nd that's when Fish mounted his fightback, pushing the World No.2 to a decider, which had its share of breaks, but in the end it needed a tiebreak to separate the two men, which Nadal won 7-3.  So the final result was 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(3).

It has to be said that Rafa definitely does not appear to be in good form, struggling with a bad stomach isn't the way to come into a tournament, but he did get the win, even if it was by the skin of his nads.  And his next match will prove to be a real test as he faces Roger Federer on Tuesday, but it all depends on how well Rafa is feeling, hopefully he will get better and be prepared to give us a really good match.  But Roger could definitely have the upper hand, but time will tell on that. 

Now onto today's opening match which was between Britain's Andy Murray and Spanish No.2 David Ferrer.  By reputation we knew that this would be a tough match, but Andy was straight off pegged to be favourite to win it.  Unfortunately however things didn't pan out that way, as Andy from the start looked quite drawn and tired, and despite gaining a break of serve early in the first set, he struggled really badly with his own serve and at one point had a medical timeout for his hip.  This ultimately allowed Ferrer to break back and before we knew it, the Muzza was a set down.  In the second set, Andy started off better with a break, but again he squandered it and let Ferrer back into the match, and toward the end at 6-5, Andy failed to hold serve once more, letting Ferrer win his first match of the group in 6-4, 7-5.

This certainly wasn't the result that we were all hoping for, and I am myself pretty disappointed for Andy as well.  After the match Andy revealed that he sustained a groinal injury in training a few days after the Paris masters tournament, and that if it wasn't the season end championships, he would not have played.  Andy also has stated that he will decide on Tuesday (22 Nov) whether or not he will quit the event, and given the nature of his injury, it might regretfully be the right decision to withdraw.  I sincerely hope he doesn't withdraw as despite his loss, he could still be with a chance, but it is a very very slim one, as he will have to play the loser of the next Group A match, Djokovic vs Berdych, which most likely could be Berdych.  And Berdych himself defeated Andy the last time they met in Paris, and it would seem given his current condition far more likely that Berdych would beat him again.  But it would all hinge on Andy preparing and getting better for the next match, and it may well be unlikely that he could do so, however it would be great to see if Andy could get revenge on Berdych for his loss in Paris, but again if he does play Berdy it will be a real physical match, and he may just not be up to the task. 

Speaking of which as an update Djokovic did indeed defeat Tomas Berdych but it was a very very close match, and Djokovic himself saved one match point before taking the final set to a tiebreaker, which he won.  So it will be Berdych, after all, that Andy is scheduled to face, but judging by Berdy's current form, if I were Andy I'd probably save any humiliation, pain and hassel and quit now!  As Djokovic had a narrow scrape there, and if Berdych can push the World No.1 that far, then he is sure to punish Andy physically and mentally even further! 

So it all hangs in the balance for Andy Murray at the ATP World Tour Finals, and it would be a great shame and a big disappointment if he decided to withdraw, so a big question mark hangs over the Muzza's bonce on this one.  But in the end, health has to come first and if Andy has to withdraw, then that's what he'll have to do, and its a great shame to see what has arguably been his best season so far, end on such a sour note.  However time will once again soon tell all. 

Aaaaaaaaaaaannd I'll leave it there the now.