In the closest match of the ATP World Tour Finals so far, youngster Dominic Thiem managed to mentally outlast Gael Monfils in a topsy-turvy affair that ended 6-3 1-6 6-4. The reason I wrote “mentally outlast” is that Thiem is 22-3 in deciding sets this year while Monfils has a history of wavering in matches and his three double-faults in the last game of the match wasn’t particularly inspiring for his camp. Thiem did look very tired in the second set and sprayed a number of balls, but in the end he got his act together and got the W. Now he has a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. He needs to beat Raonic in his next match to do so.
Raonic on the other hand, did play well against Djokovic and forced two tie-breaks despite being down a break in set. But in the end Djokovic was too strong and won by the slimmest of margins 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5). Djokovic hasn’t been in spellbinding form, but he sure looks ready for another final and the most dramatic one would be against Andy Murray.
ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS 2016
McEnroe Group
Andy Murray 1-0 (2-0)
Stan Wawrinka 0-1 (0-2)
Kei Nishikori 1-0 (2-0)
Marin Cilic 0-1 (0-2)
Lendl Group
Novak Djokovic 2-0 (4-1)
Milos Raonic 1-1 (2-2)
Gael Monfils 0-2 (1-4)
Dominic Thiem 1-1 (2-3)
Year-end world number one ranking scenarios
| Player | 0 wins | 1 gp win | 2 gp wins | 3 gp wins | 1 gp win & RU | 2 gp wins & RU | 3 gp wins & RU | 1 gp win & title | 2 gp wins & title | 3 gp wins & title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray | 10910 | 11110 | 11310 | 11510 | 11510 | 11710 | 11910 | 12010 | 12210 | 12410 |
| Djokovic | 10780 | 10980 | 11180 | 11380 | 11380 | 11580 | 11780 | 11880 | 12080 | 12280 |
