This is pretty much a straight shootout for a spot in the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals. Kevin Anderson produced a very solid display in his opening match to down Dominic Thiem in straight sets. While I felt the Austrian was slowly growing into the match, especially in that second set tie break, I was very impressed by Anderson’s overall performance and he absolutely deserved to win that match. With that victory he is 12-2 in indoor matches this season. Of those two losses, one was inflicted just two weeks ago in Paris by his next opponent in London.
Kei Nishikori opened his London campaign in style by beating 6-time ATP Finals Champion Roger Federer, also in straight sets. Take nothing away from Nishikori–who was decisive on the important points–I felt Federer’s level was well below par, especially if you compare the last time he was on court in Paris-Bercy. That Nishikori win has completely changed the complexity of Group Lleyton Hewitt because Federer is no longer the favorite to qualify, in top spot at least.
This will be a fourth meeting between Nishikori and Anderson in the space of three months. They both traded wins in the indoors of Vienna (Anderson won 6-3 7-6), and Paris Masters (Nishikori won 6-4 6-4).
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Prediction: This is a hard one to call, especially playing back-to-back to back against each other. I was more impressed by Anderson than Nishikori in their opening matches to be honest. But the South African is going to come up against a better returner than Thiem. Nishikori will ask a lot of questions on the Anderson serve. I think both players very much know this is as good an opportunity to secure passage to the semis. Nishikori has a better head-to-head record against Anderson since this is a match up that does not excite the South African because Nishikori will put more balls back in play.
Pick: Nishikori in 3
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