Defending champion and world number 1 looking very likely to go all the way again
2014 has been an enthralling year for men’s tennis. The next generation of the men’s game have stood up and challenged the big four, with Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka claiming maiden Grand Slam wins. The resurgence of Swiss legend Roger Federer has also captured the imaginations of many, with the Wilson wizard still ambitiously eyeing a year end world number 1 finish.
The one thing that has remained constant however is the dominant form of Novak Djokovic. Capturing four Masters 1000’s and the Wimbledon title, it has been another superior year for the Serb.
His win last week in Paris comes at a landmark time for Novak, with the birth of his child being announced a week earlier, and he is hitting form at exactly the right time.
Djokovic begins the tournament as overwhelming 17/20 favourite, with his last defeat in an indoor tournament coming staggering two years ago, winning his last 10 matches in this tournament.
With Rafael Nadal pulling out, and Andy Murray still not 100% fit, Novak is missing two of his three greatest rivals, and a lack of strength in the field just plays further into the Serb’s hands.
His group looks very comfortable having won 41 matches and losing just 5 against Berdych, Wawrinka and Cilic combined.
The only realistic threat for the crown looks to be from Federer. Holding a 3-2 record over Djokovic this season, Roger is still undoubtedly capable of a magic performance on his day.
If the two are to meet in the final however, then ‘the joker’ will still likely hold the cards, with 5 wins from thire last 8 encounters. Having beaten the Swiss in straight sets here two years ago, Djokovic has history on his side too.
17/20 – Novak Djokovic to win the World Tour Finals