France wins 2017 Davis Cup

The 2017 Davis Cup was a thriller, with neighbours France and Belgium fighting it out to the very last match

First up, and pivotal, was the battle between David Goffin (fresh off his excellent ATP Finals performance) and Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

In an otherwise even opening set, Goffin had a much better percentage of points won on first serve and converted the only break point of the set. 7-5 and that was as close as Pouille would be for the match.

Goffin broke twice in each of the next two sets and never faced a break point on his serve throughout the match which he won 7-5 6-3 6-1.

It only took Jo-Wilfried Tsonga an hour and 46 minutes to level the ledger - the Frenchman thrashed Steve Darcis 6-3 6-2 6-1. He was especially dominant in sets two and three, losing only two points on his serve in that period.

Like Goffin, Tsonga faced no break points in the match.

The doubles rubber, as in many Davis Cup battles, proved critical.

The French have had, until reasonably recently, the leading pair in the world - Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

With Mahut missing from this tie, Richard Gasquet joined Herbert to match up against Belgium’s Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore.

The French pair were overwhelming in the opening set, winning it 6-1, but were taken aback by the Belgian resistance in set two which was the leveller 6-3.

A third set tie break, won by Gasquet and Herbert seven points to two, was enough for them to proceed to a four set win and give France a 2-1 lead in the tie.

In the biggest match, the two winners from Day One were up against each other.

The opening set was close enough to require a tie break and Goffin eked out a win over Tsonga 7 points to 5.

Following that it was all Belgium and Goffin won 7-6 (5) 6-3 6-2.

The tie was 2-2 

The final match would decide the tie and Lucas Pouille and Steve Darcis were both looking for redemption following losses on Day One.

It was Lucas who fired up, destroying his Belgian opponent 6-3 6-1 6-0.

France had won its first Davis Cup since 2001.

Dimitrov wins ATP Finals

The season is over for ATP players and Grigor Dimitrov (6) has won the chocolates in the London ATP Finals.

He remained undefeated throughout, and overcame David Goffin (7) in an exciting final.

Neither player had reached these dizzy heights at the seasons end, indeed had never qualified for the elite eight.

To make the final, David Goffin did something he had also never dome previously - knocking over Roger Federer (2) - and this after dropping the opening set. Federer was undefeated and supremely confident, only four losses for the year.

Perhaps a touch of arrogance entered his game and Goffin lifted the overall quality and consistency of his output to pressure Federer into unusual numbers of unforced errors.

One break point was all it needed and Goffin had levelled the semi final at 2-6 6-3. He took the momentum straight into the decider and the pressure showed on Federer.  

Goffin again outgunned the 19 time major winner both on serve and return to break once from two opportunities and win unexpectedly but outstandingly 2-6 6-3 6-4.

Dimitrov won his semi final against Jack Sock (8), but also took three sets to do so.

In set one, despite a woeful conversion of points won on first serve, Sock smashed it on his second delivery, and pulled Dimitrov’s second serve to pieces, winning 10 of 13 points.

The set went to the American 6-4.

Set two must have been uninteresting for Sock because he didn’t win a game. Dimitrov definitely lifted his work rate, but winning 24 points out of the 33 played said a lot about Sock’s failings.

The return of the eighth seed to competitive tennis happened early in set three, but despite an excellent first serve points won percentage, he lost all points when relying on a second delivery.

Dimitrov pounced on one of two break points and Sock wasted all of three. The Bulgarian reached the final 4-6 6-0 6-3.

The final was a rematch of the round robin encounter in which Dimitrov thrashed Goffin 6-0 6-2.

This was to prove completely different.

All the first three service games were lost by the server, two by Dimitrov.

Goffin consolidated a lead 4-2.

However the eighth game was pivotal when the Belgian failed to nail his advantage and surrendered the break to the sixth seed.

The momentum switch was irresistible and Grigor won four of the remaining five games played in the set to win it from Goffin 7-5.

As in his semi final with Federer, David fought back against another Goliath in set two.

Seven aces and 14 of 15 points won on first serve made holding his serve more comfortable than in the opening set.

Still finding a way through the Dimitrov defence was difficult.

Finally, with a break point each, Goffin was the one to convert and push the match to a decider, the scoreline 5-7 6-4.

Returning the Goffin serve well and winning significant number of points was integral to Dimitrov collecting six break points.

Goffin was playing well enough to find four of his own.

Only one of those ten was,converted, and that was enough for Grigor Dimitrov to capture his biggest title of 2017.

Top ten at end of the year:

1. Rafa Nadal 10,645

2. Roger Federer 9,605

3. Grigor Dimitrov 5,150 (Highest career ranking)

4. Alexander Zverev 4,610

5. Dominic Thiem 4,015

6. Marin Cilic 3,805

7. David Goffin 3,775 (HCR)

8. Jack Sock 3,165 (HCR)

9. Stan Wawrinka 3,150

10. Pablo Carreno Busta 2,615 (HCR)

Last four reached in the ATP Finals

The semi finals at the ATP Finals are confirmed after the last of the round robin matches were completed yesterday.

David Goffin (7) gave Dominic Thiem (4) a tennis lesson, beginning with a solid opening set in which his first serve percentage of 71 compared with Thiem’s unhelpful 46.

Despite this stat, Goffin only marginally out played Thiem, but in all facets of the game, appearing dominant throughout.

A 6-4 advantage quickly turned into a rout.

Thiem won only 43% of points on his serve in set two, and the most devastating factor was his inability to convert break points - zero from five, as against Goffin’s three from four.

The seventh seed, who only one match ago was thrashed by Dimitrov, did likewise to Thiem, returning serve with precision en route to a 6-4 6-1 success.

Goffin meets Federer in one semi final while Grigor Dimitrov (6) plays Jack Sock (8) in the other.

Dimitrov is in possibly the best form of any player in the whole tournament, including even Federer. He continued his undefeated dominance with a comprehensive dismissal of Pablo Carreno Busta in the final round robin match in the Pete Sampras Group.

Facing no break points, but taking advantage of five from ten chances of his own, led tthe Bulgarian to a 6-1 6-1 masterful display, with some of the finest shots seen in the tournament.

Dimitrov won twice as many points as his opponent in the match.

A win over Sock will move Dimitrov to number three in the world rankings.

Sock beats Zverev into semi final

The round robin matches have been completed for those in the Boris Becker Group at the ATP Finals in London.

After dropping the opening set to Marin Cilic (5) in a tie break, Roger Federer (2) came back strongly to win the next two 6-4 6-1 to preserve his undefeated status and ensure Cilic left the English capital winless.

That match had no effect on the semi final line up since Federer was already qualified.

The next match would determine who joined the Swiss master.and Alexander Zverev (3) played Jack Sock (8) for the spot.

Sock entered the clash in the peak of form, having won the Paris Masters 1000 title in the past week or so. He pipped the German in a competitive opening set, converting one of a number of break points available to both players. 6-4 and the early lead.

Zverev turned it around in set two, winning 70% of points on his serve, compared with 41% for Sock. Two service breaks for the third seed and the match was even.

Each player feasted on the second serve of the other in the deciding third set, assisting in five service breaks. Sock owned three of these, enough to claim the set, the match 6-4 1-6 6-4: and a semi final berth.

That is against Grigor Dimitrov.

The win takes Sock to a new career high ranking of eight, leaving the injured Stan Wawrinka at nine, dropping behind both Sock and Goffin because of his absence in this tournament.

One of the final round robin matches in the Pete Sampras Group will feature alternate player Pablo Carreno Busta battling Grigor Dimitrov (6) in effectively an exhibition since Dimitrov has already booked a semi final spot.

The other match between Dominic Thiem (4) and David Goffin (7) will see the winner take the fourth semi final spot and earn a clash with Roger Federer.

Dimitrov into ATP Finals semis

Sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov has joined Roger Federer in the semis of the ATP Finals in London after he dismantled David Goffin (7).

The Bulgarian was ruthless fro the outset, winning 86% of points on his serve in set one, and 63% of points on Goffin’s serve.

Three of seven break points were converted, while Goffin couldn’t manufacture a single chance.

6-0 was the scoreline and it didn’t improve much in the second set.

Dimitrov capitalised on two of four break points but Goffin failed to do anything with his only break point of the match.

Again taking significant skin off the Belgian serve, Dimitrov delivered the set with ease, and the match 6-0 6-2.

The live rankings now see Dimitrov jumping two spots to a possible career high of four.

Dominic Thiem (4) kept his hopes of a semi final spot alive by defeating alternate player Pablo Carreno Busta.

Rather than facing Nadal, it was the less imposing fellow Spaniard, but that still posed plenty of problems for the Austrian who was stretched to three sets.

Opening with a blistering 84% of points won on serve and facing no break points, Thiem raced to a 6-3 lead.

This was matched by Pablo who returned brilliantly in set two resulting in two breaks and a 6-3 for himself.

The decider saw Thiem gather seven break chances and weight of numbers told - two converted - and while Pablo squeezed a break of his own, it was insufficient.

Thiem won 6-3 3-6 6-4 and will play Goffin for the second semi spot from the Pete Sampras Group.

As we speak, Marin Cilic (5), winless so far, has taken the first set from unbeaten Roger Federer (2).

While the match has no bearing on standings in the Boris Becker Group - Federer already in the semis and Cilic unable to qualify - a win over the Swiss legend would be something for Cilic to take away from the tournament. A reminder of the semi final in the 2014 US Open, where his win over Federer was a prelude to the major win - the final against Nishikori.

Federer outlasts Zverev in London

The third day/night of the ATP Finals produced two three set thrillers and included a broken record.

First it was fifth seed Marin Cilic (5) against Jack Sock (8), both coming off losses in their opening matches.

It was Cilic who began best, winning 63% of points on his second serve in the first set compared to 25% for Sock.

Service was broken twice by Cilic and once by Sock, enabling the Croatian to take the lead 7-5.

Sock struck back hard, reversing the trend with points won on second serve, 64% to 23%.

Two breaks to none and the match was level.

An even third set, with a break each, meant that a tie break would determine the result.

Cilic led 4-2 but some aggressive and outstanding shotmaking from Sock saw him rattle off five straight points to steal the match 5-7 6-2 7-6(4).

Alexander Zverev (3) served it up to Roger Federer (2) after surrendering the close opening set to the Swiss star in a tie break 8 points to 6.

In set two the German young gun converted two of seven break chances , while Federer broke just once from two chances.

Federer was clearly angry and blasted Zverev off the court in set three 6-1, remaining undefeated and taking a spot in the semi finals.

31 points to 17 in the decider and Federer will compete in the semi finals at the season ending tournament for the 14th time in 15 appearances. He now has broken the record of Tiger Woods in terms of career prize money.

Nadal withdraws from ATP Finals

In London at the ATP Finals, Alexander Zverev (3) finished the opening night by recovering from a break down in the deciding third set to defeat Marin Cilic (5) 6-4 3-6 6-4.

The second day/night saw two matches from the Pete Sampras Group.

First up, Grigor Dimitrov (6) played Dominic Thiem (4).

In set one, both were terrific on first serves, Thiem winning 10 of 11 points, and Dimitrov 16 of 18.

However, Thiem could only manage a terrible 37% of first serves into play, and enabled Dimitrov to have a go at three break points, one of which was converted.

The Bulgarian faced no break points and won the set 6-3.

Set two was somewhat a reversal, with Dimitrov poorer on first serve percentage and winning far less points overall.

This time the only break point converted was initiated by Thiem who levelled the match 3-6 7-5.

Points won on second serve determined how the third set was won. Dimitrov won 69% of points on his second delivery, while Thiem won 44% on his.

Break points were created more at will for the sixth seed and he just required one to be converted and the match was his 6-3 5-7 7-5.

David Goffin (7) picked up the biggest win of his career when he toppled Rafa Nadal (1).

After taking set one in a tie break, Goffin would have been concerned when Nadal levelled by winning set two, also in a tie break.

From five chances, though, Goffin broke twice in the decider to shock the top seed 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-4.

A bigger shock came after the match with Nadal’s withdrawal from the tournament through injury.

Fellow Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta, is the replacement for Nadal.

ATP Finals underway

The year end ATP Finals have commenced in London and the two groups consist of four players each - the top eight ranked in the world have qualified although seventh ranked Stan Wawrinka is injured and unable to compete. His spot is taken by ninth ranked Jack Sock.

Group Pete Sampras

Rafael Nadal (seeded 1)

Dominic Thiem (4)

Grigor Dimitrov (6)

David Goffin (7)

Group Boris Becker

Roger Federer (2)

Alexander Zverev (3)

Marin Cilic (5)

Jack Sock (8)

Roger Federer opened proceedings by defeating Jack Sock in straight sets 6-4 7-6(4)

Not much separated the two in set one with the only break point being pounced on by Federer, effectively deciding things.

The pressure of the Swiss first serve winning 16 of 18 points was an important factor.

Despite again dominating on his first serve - winning 20 of 22 points - and creating 5 break points, Federer could not pierce the Sock serve in set two.

It took a tie break, in which Federer has proved a master, to force the issue. Roger predictably won it and the match.

Currently Zverev and Cilic are battling each other in the second round robin match on opening night with the two swapping sets and Cilic achieving an early break in set three.

Sock and Goerges score big

Jack Sock recovered from losing the opening set and won the Paris Masters 1000 final against qualifier Filip Krajinovic.

The American 16th seed has suddenly leapt 13 rungs into the world top ten, grabbing the number nine spot.

Serbia’s Krajinovic sits at 33, only nine spots below Milos Raonic, whose absence has cost him a drop of 12 places this week.

Long term injuries are costly - Nishikori has finally slipped from a solid top ten ranking to 22. Number ones from 2016, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, are now 12 and 16 respectively. Murray dropped 13 places after missing Paris.

Only Stan Wawrinka, of the players injured and out for the last part of 2017, has held onto a top ten ranking (7).

The two ‘comeback kids’ are up and away from the rest of the field:

1 Nadal 10,645 points

2 Federer 9,005 points

3 A Zverev 4,410 points

Zhuhai saw the completion of the WTA tour with the final of the Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy held.

Seventh seed Julia Goerges won her second title in a fortnight, following Moscow, by proving too strong for Coco Vandeweghe in straight sets 7-5 6-1.

This was after being down 2-5 in the first set.

Julia lost the first set she played in the tournament, and proceeded to win every set henceforth.

End of year rankings are such:

1. Simona Halep 6175 points (ended 2016 at 4)

2. Garbine Muguruza 6135 (7)

3. Caroline Wozniacki 6015 (19)

4. Karolina Pliskova 5730 (6)

5. Venus Williams 5597 (17)

6. Elina Svitolina 5500 (14)

7. Jelena Ostapenko 5010 (44)

8. Caroline Garcia 4420 (24)

9. Johanna Konta 3610 (10)

10. Coco Vandeweghe 3258 (36)

Those tumbling from the top ten at end of 2016:

1 Angie Kerber (now 21)

2 Serena Williams (22) good excuse !

3 Aga Radwanska (28)

5 Dominika Cibulkova (26)

8 Madison Keys (19)

9 Sveta Kuznetsova (12)

Qualifier Krajinovic in Paris final

The Paris Masters 1000 final match up is something no one would ever have predicted.

Jack Sock, seeded 16, is potentially good enough to make the final, but let’s be truthful his path was cleared by:

Roger Federer withdrawing and Lucas Pouille (17) taking that place in the draw. Sock played Pouille in the second round instead of a likely more potent Swiss foe.

The dismissal of Marin Cilic (3) and David Goffin (7) by unseeded Julien Benneteau.

The ousting of Dominic Thiem (5) by unseeded Fernando Verdasco.

This meant that Sock avoided playing any seeds after he’d beaten Pouille.

He knocked over Verdasco in the quarters and Benneteau in the semis.

And who does he face in the final ? A qualifier !

Yes, Filip Krajinovic, given a walkover by Nadal in the quarters, defeated the big serving ninth seed, John Isner in the semis.

How Isner lost is a mystery - 31 aces, 85% of points won on first serve, five break points created on his opponents serve, only one on his.

It came down to break point conversion. Isner failed to convert any of his five chances, whereas Krajinovic snapped up his one opportunity.

With tie breaks shared, that meant exit for Isner, the scoreline 6-4 6-7(2) 7-6(5)

Krajinovic, by making the final, has jumped from 77 to 33 in the rankings. If he wins, 25 will be his spot.

A victory for Sock will rocket him into the top ten at 9, five better than his current career high, and placing him as the US number one.

With Djokovic and Murray losing lots of points, a number of players have moved up the rankings to career highs:

Alexander Zverev is number 3 (previous high 4)

Dominic Thiem is number 4 (6)

Grigor Dimitrov is number 6 (8)

David Goffin is number 8 (10)

Pablo Carreno Busta is number 9 (10) but will revert to 10 should Jack Sock win Paris

The Zhuhai final will be fought between Coco Vandeweghe and Julia Goerges, after both won in convincing style against Ash Barty and Anastasija Sevastova respectively.  

Each semi final was won 6-3 6-3, meaning Barty finishes the year ranked 17. Sevastova will finish 14 if Vandeweghe wins the title, 15 if Goerges prevails.

Goerges ends up 14 should she win, 16 if she loses.

Coco is number 10 whatever.

Nadal injured in Paris

The semi finals in Zhuhai have been determined and the four women were undefeated in each of their respective groups.

Coco Vandeveghe (2) will play Ash Barty (9) in one semi final and Anastasija Sevastova (5) battles Julia Goerges (7) in the other.

Vandeweghe will gain a season ending ranking of 10, irrespective of what happens from now in the tournament, and this is a career high for the American who is only behind Venus Williams of US players in the charts.

Sevastova will jump to 11 if she wins the tournament, a career high, beating her previous best of 15.  

However, if Ash Barty wins the title, the Aussie will move to 14, a career high, and Sevastova will finish at 15.

Julia Goerges winning the title would mean Ash Barty finishing at 17 and Sevastova at 15. Goerges would sit at 14 - a new career high.

So, many possibilities are available with the semis upon us, and the matches are mouth watering.

Vandeweghe and Barty have never played each other, while Goerges leads Sevastova 3-2 head to head.

However, the 3 wins for Goerges were 2011-2013 and the latest match between the two was in Mallorca this year with victory to Sevastova, albeit on grass.

Paris has seen most of the top men’s seeds say goodbye.

Top seed Rafa Nadal gave qualifier Filip Krajinovic a walkover into the semi finals, citing a knee injury. This puts doubt into the world number ones participation in the ATP Finals.

Other considered serious Paris contenders to fall by the wayside included:

Marin Cilic (3) in a quarter final to unseeded Julien Benneteau

Benneteau had previously knocked out eleventh seed Tsonga in the second round and seventh seed David Goffin in the third round.

Dominic Thiem (5) in the third round in straight sets to Fernando Verdasco

Grigor Dimitrov (6) in the third round to John Isner (9)

Isner proceeded to defeat an in form del Potro in a quarter final 

Barty top Aussie

The ATP Tour has rolled into Paris for the latest Masters 1000 event - Roger Federer is the biggest name to not be competing.

Just beginning third round matches, there have been some upsets already.

Sam Querrey (10) was ousted by Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic and veteran Nicolas Mahut defeated Pablo Carreno Busta (8), both in second round matches after first round byes.

All seeds had byes before their first matches.

Another Pablo was more successful - Pablo Cuevas - who beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas (15).

Robin Haase dumped fourth seed Alexander Zverev while Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (11) lost to fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau. US Open finalist Kevin Anderson (12) has not managed to keep his New York form and departed Paris at the hands of Fernando Verdasco.

Other players expected to do well have done the job required early in the tournament, including Rafa Nadal (1), Marin Cilic (3), Dominic Thiem (5), Grigor Dimitrov (6) and David Goffin (7). All are through to the third round.

Juan Martin del Potro (13) is the first to make it to the round of sixteen, halting the run of Robin Haase.

The top eight women have only just completed the WTA Finals in Singapore, and this week it is the turn of the next tier of women to compete in a similar tournament to complete their year.

Held in Zhuhai, 12 women were seeded, Kristina Mladenovic the number one, down to Shuai Peng at 12, and then split into four groups of three for round robin matches.

To date, the players with two wins and no losses are Anastasija Sevastova (5), Coco Vandeweghe (2), and Ash Barty.(9).

With the points from those wins, the live WTA rankings have Sevastova sitting at a potential career high 14 and Barty a career high 16.

Elena Vesnina (6) and Magdalena Rybarikova (10) have matches in hand which could take Barty back to 18 in the world which would still be a career high.

However, if the Aussie keeps winning, and she is in a semi final, her ranking could end up better than 16, Already she is guaranteed to be the top ranked Australian female player at the end of 2017 - remarkable since she began the year ranked 271.