ATP World Tour Finals: Djokovic and Federer kick off the action
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | November 13, 2015
2015 ATP World Tour Finals
The ATP season-ending World Tour Finals is finally upon us, and the top eight men in tennis battle it out for the prestigious title at London’s O2 Arena, which has just been confirmed as the venue for this event until at least 2018.
First up, Coral preview day one of the singles action, which sees two clashes in the Stan Smith Group as world number one Novak Djokovic takes on Kei Nishikori while record title holder Roger Federer duels with Tomas Berdych.
Novak Djokovic v Kei Nishikori
- Stan Smith Group
- Sunday, November 15th
- Scheduled for: 14:00 GMT
- O2 Arena, London
- Live on Sky Sports 3 and BBC2
Serb star Djokovic is aiming for his fourth straight title and fifth in total, which would be one behind, this year and he kicks off as both the tournament (4/9) and group (1/3) odds-on favourite. Unsurprisingly, he is also heavily fancied to see off his first challenger Nishikori at 1/20.
However, for a more enticing price, take odds of 4/1 for the world number one to win 2-1. This result is very possible given that in four of their six meetings the Japanese star has managed to get at least a set, including in this event last year in the semi-finals.
If you fancy Nishikori to claim a shock victory, meanwhile, he is a great 9/1 shout, though this would be his first triumph over Djokovic since the 2014 US Open semis, before going onto lose to Marin Cilic.
Another price at 5/1 for the diminutive rising star to claim the second set is tempting too, as he has done so in his last two matches with the Serbian.
Roger Federer v Tomas Berdych
- Stan Smith Group
- Sunday, November 15th
- Scheduled for: 20:00 GMT
- O2 Arena, London
- Live on Sky Sports 3
Federer is still defying his age, after turning 34 a couple of months back, and is the heavy 2/9 odds-on favourite to defeat Berdych, having won 14 of their 20 meetings to date.
However, in their head-to-heads on hard courts, the consistent Czech has claimed a better victory-rate of five in 12, so is 10/3 to claim his first triumph over the Swiss star since 2013.
Both players come into this event off the back of recent title success, with Federer winning his home Basel Open trophy at the expense of old foe Rafael Nadal and Berdych defeating Jack Sock in the Stockholm Open final.
Despite both featuring in this Tour Finals event numerous times, it is surprising that they have never met here. This will be their third duel in England’s capital, though, having faced off twice at Wimbledon before. Each gained a victories apiece, so again take more tempting odds of 11/4 for Federer to win 2-1.
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Check out our tennis content, where you’ll find our overall ATP World Tour Finals preview too
Coral’s top tip: The last two clashes between Djokovic and Nishikori have finished 2-1 in the Serb’s favour, so back him to win by that scoreline again at 4/1
