ATP London World Tour Finals Profile Rafael Nadal

London, England – Rafael Nadal enters the Barclay’s ATP World Tour Finals as the top seed in Group B but most would have him as the underdog in his group and the least likely to advance into the semis. Yet, if there is anything to learn from the Spaniard’s 2009 season: expect the unexpected.

Nadal has had a trying season indeed, characterized by soaring heights and dipping lows in form. He started great by winning the Australian Open against all odds – his first-ever hard court Grand Slam. He then went on to win Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome. Five months of the season and Nadal winning thus, he looked to be unstoppable and well on his way to dominating the season.

Calamity befell him when his knees gave out – earlier than usual. Hobbled, Nadal was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon and miss over two months of the season. He returned to action at the Rogers Cup, exceeding expectations in Montreal and the entire US Open series that saw him finish in the US Open semis – admittedly, a stomach strain hindered his run at Flushing.

Yet, in spite of the seesaw nature of his form, Nadal has lost only once prior to the quarterfinals in a tournament. Yes. That is right! He has made no less than the quarters of every single tournament this season save for the one – The French Open. Only the tournament he had dominated for the last four years and where he had never tasted defeat.

Road to London:

BetUS Futures odds for Davydenko listed at +750

• Season win/loss: 64-11
• Since US Open win/loss: 10-3
• Titles: Australian Open, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome
• Finalist: Rotterdam, Shanghai
• Grand Slam highlights: Australian Open winner. French Open R16, Wimbledon withdrew, US Open semis
• Top ten scalps: Roger Federer (Australian Open final), Novak Djokovic (Indian Wells semis, Davis Cup, Monte Carlo Final, Rome Final), Andy Murray (Indian Wells Final, Monte Carlo semis), Fernando Verdasco (Aussie Open semis, Rome quarters, Madrid quarters,) Juan Martin Del Potro (Indian Wells quarters), Andy Roddick (Indian Wells semis), Nikolay Davydenko (Barcelona semis) and Tsonga (Paris semis).

Verdasco Head-to Heads with other World Tour Finals contenders:

• vs. Roger Federer: 13-7
• vs. Novak Djokovic: 14-6
• vs. Andy Murray: 7-2
• vs. Juan Martin Del Potro: 4-3
• vs. Nikolay Davydenko: 4-3
• vs. Fernando Verdasco: 9-0
• vs. Robin Soderling: 3-1

Betting Verdict: Nadal owns a winning record against every single player at this event; he practically, owns the series between Federer, Djokovic and Murray – three players that most believe will fare better in London than Nadal. Since losing at the French Open, Nadal has enjoyed a negative trend against his peers and most top ten competitors. That is where the concern lies and why many believe Nadal is not currently in the kind of form that would see him beat them. Rafa fans take heed! Nadal is a proven competitor and since coming back from injury he has been steadily improving and finding form. He might not appear to be there yet in the eyes of many but that has never stopped him from proving his detractors wrong. I wouldn’t be dismissing him just yet.