The upset frenzy that took over Shanghai this week saw seven of the 12 players who could still mathematically qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in London – and who were in action – lose in the opening two rounds.
That’s hardly what one would expect from players who are supposedly “fighting” for a spot in the elite top-eight season finale.
The Race to London is suddenly more like a “Crawl to London”. The all-star 100m dash we’ve been eagerly anticipating is now a slow heat riddled with false starts.
But then again, can you blame the players? They’ve all had to have a consistent year to get themselves into this position and as the season enters its tenth month, the wear and tear of the tour is catching up.
Heading into Shanghai, Stan Wawrinka (4), Kei Nishikori (5), Marin Cilic (6), Milos Raonic (8), Grigor Dimitrov (11), Ernests Gulbis (13) and Kevin Anderson (16) all had some form of chance to get closer to London.
Five of them lost in their opening match in Shanghai, Dimitrov fell in his second one, while Raonic retired with a virus.
The tour is so demanding that players don’t even know when to rest anymore. Rafael Nadal unwisely played through appendicitis yesterday, Nishikori was playing his 10th match in 15 days across three different countries, while Cilic has had literally just one day off since he won the US Open.
Since we’re no closer to finding out who the five players are that will join Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Nadal in London are, here are ones I think deserve to be at the O2.
Stan Wawrinka
The Swiss became the first non- Big Four slam winner in five years at the Australian Open, snapped a 0-12 losing record against Nadal, ended an 11-match losing streak against Federer and also won his first Masters 1000 title.
Kei Nishikori
The Japanese has won four titles this season and made his first slam final at New York, taking out three top-10 players en route.
Grigor Dimitrov
The Bulgarian finally started to live up to his potential. Made his first slam semi-final at Wimbledon. Has won three titles on three surfaces this season and has four top-10 wins in 2014.
Tomas Berdych
Clinging onto his top-seven status. Made semis in Australia, quarters in Paris and New York. Won in Rotterdam and made three more finals.
Marin Cilic
Rebounding from a doping ban by winning three titles including a slam. Definitely London worthy.
WTA'S RISING STARS A GOOD MOVE
The WTA are going all out for their season-ending championships as they’ve added a legends event as well as a Rising Stars invitational for four players representing Asia- Pacific and Rest of the World.
Over 700,000 votes were reportedly cast which resulted in Zarina Diyas, Zheng Saisai, Monica Puig and Shelby Rogers being chosen to take part.
While I like the idea, I’m not sure making the Rising Stars event a popularity contest was the right way to go. It’s also unfortunate that Belinda Bencic, arguably the teen of the year, had to pull out of the vote due to scheduling conflicts.
Still, it remains a positive addition to the Championships and I wish the ATP would follow suit. These would be my ATP picks:
Nick Kyrgios (above)
The only teenager in the top-100. Beat Nadal to make Wimbledon quarters. Won three Challengers.
Dominic Thiem
Cracked the top-40. Made last 16 at the US Open and reached his first ATP final in Kitzbuhel.
Jiri Vesely
Beat Gael Monfils to make Wimbledon third round, took a set off Murray in Indian Wells third round.
Borna Coric
The 17-year-old just won his first Challenger title. He made the ATP Umag quarters and won a round at the US Open.
