Race-to-London Update
With only weeks left in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, “interesting” results are seen in the race-to-London. With five professionals having already qualified, three positions are still up for grabs. The professionals
who have already qualified are: World number one Spaniard, Rafael Nadal; Swiss Maestro Roger Federer, currently playing in Basel; Serb Novak Djokovic, joins Federer at Basel; Brit Andy Murray, ousted in Valencia and Swede Robin Soderling, who is still playing
in Valencia.
With sixth position at the year-to-date (YTD) rankings, Czech Tomas Berdych was the top contender for a London qualification until Tuesday. However, Berdych’s performance in Basel on Wednesday halted his race to London as he lost
his first round match against German Tobias Kamke and exited the tournament. Berdych’s only chance of a qualification now rests in a semi final run in Paris next week.
Spaniard David Ferrer, who is currently playing in Valencia, is another contender for the three positions that are left. Having defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the round of thirty at Valencia, he is one of those “lucky” Spaniards
still in the title run. Ferrer currently ranks at seventh position in the year-to-date rankings and needs a Valencia win to ensure his position in the top eight at the season’s end. Enjoying the position of a local favourite, Ferrer might cruise his way into
the finals. He has a win-loss score of 54-20 with one title win at Acapulco for the season.
American Andy Roddick, who currently takes the eighth position in the YTD ATP rankings, is probably the strongest contender still in the running. Roddick has two titles to his name this season, one at Miami and the other at Brisbane.
He also finished as a finalist at one Masters and one 250 event. Currently Roddick is competing at Basel as the fourth seed and needs to perform well in order to make the qualification cut. He got off to a strong start at Basel having defeated compatriot Sam
Querry by straight sets 7-5, 7-6(6).
Two more players are in danger of not making the cut given their recent performances. Spaniard Fernando Verdasco put his London qualification in danger after he made his second round exit in Valencia on Wednesday. Although Verdasco
is ranked seventh in the ATP world rankings, his YTD ranking is nine which means he desperately needed a win at Valencia to better his chances of making the cut. Verdasco got off to a strong start at Valencia having won his first round match against American
Michael Russell, but fell short facing French Gilles Simon in the round of sixteen. Verdasco has a win-loss score of 41-20 for the season. With Valencia title out of his hands, Verdasco needs to perform well at London if he is to have any chances of making
the cut.
Russian legend Mikhail Youzhny put his London qualification in danger when he pulled out of the Valencia cup due to a back problem. The 2010 St. Petersburg loser was hoping for a win at both Valencia and Paris to finish the season
in the top eight. Currently ranking at tenth position in both ATP world rankings and the YTD ATP rankings, Youzhny has a win-loss season score of 43-18.
French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who was until Tuesday a contender in the race to London announced his retirement for the season. Having suffered a knee injury, Tsonga pulled himself out of Valencia on Saturday ending all his hopes for
London and then on Wednesday announced that he was out for the season. Tsonga closes the season ranking 13 in the world rankings with a 31-16 win-loss score.
Prediction
The next player to qualify for London will probably be David Ferrer or Tomas Berdych depending on their performances in Valencia and Basel.
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