The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is a tournament for the eight best men's single players and best men's doubles teams in the world. The 2009 ATP finals are being played on the indoor hard surface of the O2 Arena in London this year.
Both the single players and the doubles teams were divided up into two groups of four and played the round robin stage that determine which four would advance onto the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals matches will play for the 2009 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals trophy.
In the single final, Juan Martin Del Potro will face off against Nikolay Davydenko. The ATP finals has been a great tournament so far for Davydenko.
Ranked sixth for the sixth in the tournament and seventh in the world, Davydenko just did make it into the semi-finals. Davydenko took the number two position from group B based on his sets won/loss record.
In the round robin stage, Davydenko defeated #2 seed Rafael Nadal and #8 seed Robin Soderling. He lost to #3 seed Novak Djokovic.
Davydenko, Soderling and Djokovic all tied with a 2-1 match record for the round robin stage. Through a tie breaker based on sets won/loss record, Soderling(5-2 sets) was group B's winner.
Davydenko took the second place from group B in the semi-finals with a set record of 5-3. Djokovic just missed a semi-final spot with a 4-3 set record.
Djokovic was the defending tournament champion. He defeated Davydenko last year for the ATP World Tour singles championship.
In the semi-finals, Davydenko defeated top seed Roger Federer in three sets. Davydenko had lost to Federer in all of their twelve previous matches.
On Saturday, Davydenko had to come from behind in the third set to advance to the final. Federer was ahead in the third set 5-4 and holding Davydenko serve 0/30 when Davydenko came back to win 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.
The week was not a complete loss for Federer. He was crowned the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion.
Davydenko will play Del Potro for the 2009 Barclays ATP World Tour Final championship on Sunday at 2:30 GMT (9:30am ET). Their last meeting was in the round robin stage of last year's tournament when Davydenko beat Del Potro.
Del Potro won the US Open earlier this year. During his round robin, Del Potro defeated Federer and #7 seed Fernando Verdasco and lost to
#4 seed Andy Murray.
Del Potro played Soderling in the semi-finals on Saturday. As with Davydenko, Del Potro had to come from behind in the third set to pull out the victory 6-7(1), 6-3, 7-6(3).
Soderling was actually a replacement in the tournament for Andy Roddick due to an injury. Soderling made the most of his opportunity defeating Nadal and Djokovic during his round robin stage.
The biggest surprise of the tournament was the play of Nadal. He lost all three of his matches in the round robin stage. Still looking for his 400th tour-level match win, Nadal's record is 399-91.
In the double's tournament, the Bryan brothers will play the team of Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram for the doubles 2009 Barclays ATP World Tour Final Championship. Their match is Sunday at 12:30 GMT (7:30am ET).
Bob and Mike Bryan are twin brothers. They have won the tournament twice before. The Bryan brothers can capture the 2009 ATP World Tour Doubles Champions crown on Sunday.
Mirnyi and Ram defeated the Bryan brothers during the round robin stage. This will also be their last match together. During 2010, Mirnyi and Ram will be playing with new partners.
The 2009 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals has had the best of the best of men's tennis face off. On Sunday, the single's and double's champions will be determined.
Written by Denise Clay
Exclusive to HULIQ
Posted November 29th, 2009 by Denise Clay
