2021 ATP Finals: All that you need to know
What's the story
The group stage draw is out for the 2021 ATP Finals as eight top stars in men's singles tennis fight for the prestigious year-end trophy. Meanwhile, the top eight double teams will also be in action. The 52nd edition of the tournament (47th in doubles) is being held in Turin, Italy. The tournament will be held between November 14 to November 21.
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Why does it matter?
The prestigious ATP Finals will see the best men's singles players this year and there is plenty at stake. On one hand Novak Djokovic is being backed to come out strong and script history. But the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, who have had strong performances this year, will be pushing hard for the title.
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Here are the two groups
The likes of Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, and Casper Ruud are pitted in Green Group. On the other hand, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini, and Hubert Hurkacz are in Red Group.
Djokovic
Djokovic is vying to equal Federer's record
Serbian ace Djokovic, who last week clinched the year-end No. 1 ATP Ranking for a record-breaking seventh time, is vying to match Roger Federer's record of six Nitto ATP Finals titles. Djokovic has a 48-6 win-loss record in 2021, besides winning five titles. The Djoker is the favorite in Green Group but will need to be wary of Tsitsipas and Rublev, in particular.
Medevdev
Medvedev is the firm favorite in Red Group
Medevedev, who was recently beaten in the Paris Masters final by Djokovic, will be expected to reach the semis. World number two Medvedev has a 54-12 win-loss record in 2021 and has bagged four titles. Although he leads Berrettini 2-0 in the head-to-head meeting, the Russian is in a deadlock when it comes to his record against Zverev (5-5) and Hurkacz (1-1).
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Zverev will want to make this presence felt
For world number three Zverev, the match against Hurkacz could prove to be significant. The German will be looking for a top-place finish in his group but Medvedev is on his way. He has a 55-14 win-loss record in 2021 and has bagged five titles.