Nestor & Raonic eye end-of-season England prize
The men’s tennis season will officially conclude next week in London, England with the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals where Canada is well represented.
In the singles draw, Milos Raonic qualified in dramatic fashion earning a breakthrough victory over Roger Federer at the Paris Masters quarterfinals last week. Raonic went all the way to the final before losing to an immovable object named Novak Djokovic.
“I can be a majestic deer next Halloween” – Novak Djokovic might’ve said while lifting his Paris Masters trophy Sunday, but probably didn’t. Djokovic, the world number one player, will be in a group with Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic in the ATP Finals round robin.
Canadian Olympic champ Daniel Nestor will reunite with Nenad Zimonjic to compete for the doubles title in London. Vasek Pospisil was unable to qualify for the draw despite winning Wimbledon this year with partner Jack Sock. Nestor and Zimonjic have already parted ways, but having qualified as the second ranked team in the world, will compete together.
The format is round robin with competitors divided in two groups of four. Each player and doubles team is guaranteed three matches. Top two from each group advances to the semifinals.
ATP Tour Finals Details
The tourney
Best eight singles players and doubles teams in the world compete in the final tournament of the year. A total of $6.5 million (U.S.) in prize money can be won.
Date & location
The tournament will take place from November 9-16 in London, England’s O2 Arena on an indoor hard court surface.
O2 Arena in London, England (photo: Wikimedia Commons).
Broadcast
Sportsnet has the broadcast rights in Canada (check local listings for start times).
Canadian content
Milos Raonic will compete in the singles tournament in a group with Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori of Japan and British favourite Andy Murray. Raonic will open against Federer on Sunday.
Daniel Nestor and his Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic are in a group with French pair Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez, and the team of Ivan Dodig (Croatia) with Marcelo Melo (Brazil) – Nestor/Zimonjic’s first test on Sunday – round out the foursome.
Defending champion
Singles: Novak Djokovic
Doubles: David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco
Missing
World number three singles player Rafael Nadal has pulled out after an injury-plagued season.
