Novak Djokovic wins 3rd straight match at ATP finals

Djokovic, while having qualified already for the semis, won’t be wanting to suffer a shock defeat with ranking points on offer in every match in his quest to overtake Murray as the year-end number one.

“Well, Hyde Park is one of the nicest parks there is in this city”, Djokovic said of a venture outside earlier this week.

Djokovic led Serbia to the title in 2010 but has played two ties in the last two years, the same as Spain’s Rafael Nadal.

There were no breaks in the opening set but Raonic stole his opponent’s serve in the first game of the second and did not look back, ending the contest on his second match point when Thiem netted a backhand.

Andy Murray moved a step closer to the semifinals of the ATP Tour Finals as the world No. 1 wore down Kei Nishikori in a grueling 6-7 (9-11), 6-4, 6-4 victory that took more than three hours on Wednesday. He came only within one missed forehand of extending the match into a decider. “This is one of the best tournaments in the world so I am just having fun on the court”. But I think it’s fair, correct and respectful towards the player and to the game if you go over the first time, let’s say, over the limit, that you at least get a heads up.

“Yesterday I was feeling a little bit on holiday”, Goffin told reporters.

“I just fought really hard”.

Djokovic also said the three-day, best-of-five set system could be cut to two days and best-of-three matches.

Later on Thursday (Friday NZT) Canada’s Raonic and Austrian Thiem face off with the victor joining Djokovic in the semis. The Canadian progresses to the semifinals at the end-of-season tournament for the first time thanks to a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 win. Two straight-sets losses and his time in London was done.

The scenarios as the singles and doubles stars of the ATP World Tour Finals enter their last round-robin matches were complex and various.

No more mini-breaks were forthcoming and both players had further set points on return but were unable to convert.

Gael Monfils has been struggling with a rib injury since as early as October while playing in Stockholm.

On tap Friday, the last two semifinalists will be placed. He still prefers the slower surface, but I thought he played very well all week.

In a statement Sunday night, the Buccaneers said the organization is “deeply committed to the military and honoring the great men and women that have dedicated their lives and have made great sacrifices to insure all the tremendous freedoms we have in this great country”. Definitely I had a lot of big change for me.

It’s impossible for us to know how prepared Goffin is for this match and what his attitude to it will be, with the knowledge that this will be his only appearance at the O2 this year.

At 5-6, Djokovic found himself facing set point but a tense exchange ended with Raonic netting a forehand.

Murphy – one of the tour’s sternest umpires – issued a time violation warning with Djokovic serving at 3-1, 30-all in the first set.

The Canadian, who has lost to the Serb in all eight of their matches, will have a chance to play for second in the group on Thursday as he faces Dominic Thiem in a winner-take-it-all match.