Federer or Nadal?

Rafael Nadal is still within striking distance of the year end No. 1 ranking, depending on how he and Roger Federer perform at the World Tour Finals next week in London. The ATP provides Rafa’s plan of attack for the potential Battle for the Year End No. 1s:

Here are the key scenarios in the battle for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title:

1. If Nadal is an undefeated champion at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
(winning all-three round-robin matches, a semi-final and final) he will
earn the maximum 1,500points. If that happens, Federer would need to
either win all three round-robin matches OR reach the final to beat out
Nadal for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.

2. If Nadal goes 2-1 in round-robin play and wins the title he will earn
1,300 points. If that happens, Federer would need to either win two round-
robin matches OR win one round-robin match and reach the final to beat
out Nadal for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.

3. If Nadal goes 3-0 in round-robin play, wins his semi-final but loses the
final he will earn 1,000 points. If that happens, Federer would need only
to win one round-robin match to beat out Nadal for the 2009 ATP World
Tour Champion title.

Working against Nadal’s chances are the respective Barclays ATP World Tour Finals records of both players. Federer boasts one of the greatest records at the season finale with a 27-5 match record, including four titles from five straight finals between 2003-07. Nadal, however, is yet to play his best tennis at the event. In two appearances in 2006-07 he went 2-1 in round-robin play but fell in the semi-finals.


Info from www.gototennisblog.com