The 2009 ATP World Tour Finals (also known as the 2009 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals for sponsorship reasons) was held in London, United Kingdom between 22 November and 29 November 2009. It was the first time the O<sub>2</sub> arena hosted the ATP World Tour Year-End Singles and Doubles Championships. The event was renamed from Tennis Masters Cup to ATP World Tour Finals following the rearrangement of the ATP Tour.
Nikolay Davydenko defeated Juan MartÃÂn del Potro, 6âÂÂ3, 6âÂÂ4
Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan defeated Max Mirnyi / Andy Ram, 7âÂÂ6<sup>(7âÂÂ5)</sup>, 6âÂÂ3
Spots were awarded to the top seven players highest ranked single players in the world ranking and the top seven doubles teams in the 2009 ATP Doubles Race, with one spot reserved for Grand Slam champions who finish outside of the top 8, but within the Top 20 players or teams. As this did not happen, the final spot went to the next player or team in the top 8. Two additional players and teams were also in London as alternates in case of withdrawals.
On 19 May 2009 after reaching his 7th final of the year at the 2009 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open, 2009 Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal of Spain was announced as the first qualifier.
Rafael Nadal began the year by winning his first Grand Slam on hardcourt at the Australian Open, defeating Roger Federer in the final 7âÂÂ5, 3âÂÂ6, 7âÂÂ6, 3âÂÂ6, 6âÂÂ2, just after defeating Fernando Verdasco in a tournament record 5 hours 14 minutes battle in five sets. Following his Australian Open triumph he reached the final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament losing to Andy Murray. He then revenged his loss by defeating Murray in the final of BNP Paribas Open. He then won three straight titles at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and at the Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell. He then lost in his fourth straight final in the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open to Federer. He was the four-time defending champion at Roland Garros and had a 31-match winning streak in Paris, broken with a surprise fourth round loss to No. 23-seeded Robin Söderling. He then missed Wimbledon becoming the first player since Ivanià ¡eviàto not defend his title, and lost his no. 1 ranking to Federer. He then returned at the Rogers Masters but he did not reach a final until the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 losing to Nikolay Davydenko. He also reached the semifinals of the US Open and the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters. Nadal has a 4âÂÂ4 record at the championship and reached the semifinals in 2006 and 2007. This is his 3rd appearance
On 5 July â after the 2009 Wimbledon Championships â Roger Federer of Switzerland who won his 15th Slam at the tournament over Andy Roddick was announced as the second qualifier.
Roger Federer began the year with a loss to Rafael Nadal at the final of the Australian Open. He won his first title of the year at the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open defeating Nadal in the final. For his first win over Nadal since 2007 and ending Nadal's 5 match winning streak. After Nadal's early exit, Federer snapped up the French Open, beating Robin Söderling 6âÂÂ1, 7âÂÂ6, 6âÂÂ4 in the final to complete the career Grand Slam. At Wimbledon Federer defeated Andy Roddick in the final. It was the longest match in the final of Wimbledon in terms of games 5âÂÂ7, 7âÂÂ6, 7âÂÂ6, 3âÂÂ6, 16âÂÂ14. Federer reclaimed the world no. 1 ranking and broke Pete Sampras's Grand Slam record with a 15th Grand Slam. He won his 4th title of the year at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters defeating Novak Djokovic. He was also a runner-up at the US Open losing to Juan MartÃÂn del Potro and the Davidoff Swiss Indoors losing to Djokovic ending his 3-year run at the tournament. He also reached 4 semi-finals at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Sony Ericsson Open, BNP Paribas Open and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. He has a 27âÂÂ5 record in the championship having won it on 4 occasions in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. This is his 8th appearance.
On 20 August â After his title in the 2009 Rogers Masters defeating Juan MartÃÂn del Potro, Andy Murray of Great Britain was announced as the third qualifier.
Andy Murray won six titles in the year, more than anyone else. With titles in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, the Sony Ericsson Open. As well as at Queens, in the Rogers Cup and in the Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana defeating Mikhail Youzhny. He was also the runner up at the BNP Paribas Open. He missed the Asian Leg due to a wrist injury. At the slams he reached the semifinals for the first time at Wimbledon, as well as the quarterfinals of the French Open for the first time. This is his second appearance with a 3âÂÂ1 record following his semifinal appearance last year.
On 10 September â Novak Djokovic of Serbia the defending champion was the Fourth to qualify following his third straight semifinal appearance at the 2009 US Open.
Novak Djokovic made his tennis do the talking as he won his first title of the year in Dubai Tennis Championships defeating David Ferrer. He then won three other titles in the inaugural Serbia Open defeating à Âukasz Kubot, China Open defeating Marin ÃÂiliàand in Davidoff Swiss Indoors defeating Roger Federer. He then won his first Masters title of the year at the BNP Paribas Masters over Gaël Monfils. He finished as a runner-up at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, Gerry Weber Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and the Sony Ericsson Open. He also made the semifinal of the US Open. He is the Defending champion and has a 4âÂÂ4 record. This is his 3rd appearance.
On 15 September â after his first Slam win at the 2009 US Open over Roger Federer, Juan MartÃÂn del Potro of Argentina became the fifth qualifier.
Juan MartÃÂn del Potro produced a break-out year, as he reached a career-high no. 5 and won his first Slam at the 2009 US Open defeating Roger Federer 3âÂÂ6, 7âÂÂ6, 4âÂÂ6, 7âÂÂ6, 6âÂÂ2 in the final. He is also the tallest ever Grand Slam champion and the first player to defeat both Nadal and Federer in the same Grand Slam tournament. He also won two other titles at the Heineken Open defeating Sam Querrey, and the Legg Mason Tennis Classic defeating Andy Roddick. He also reached his first Masters final at the Rogers Cup losing to Andy Murray. He also reached the semi-finals at the French Open losing to Federer. Del Potro has a 1âÂÂ2 record at the championship and is making his 2nd appearance.
On 20 September â despite an early exit at the US Open, Andy Roddick of the United States was the sixth qualifier.
Andy Roddick won the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships defeating Radek à  tÃÂpánek. His major triumph though came at the Wimbledon finishing as runner-up to Roger Federer. He defeated hometown hero Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt en route to this final. As well as finishing as a runner up at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open losing to Murray and the Legg Mason Tennis Classic losing to Juan MartÃÂn del Potro. At the Slams, he also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open losing to Federer after defeating Novak Djokovic. Plus making the fourth round of French Open for the first time, losing to Gaël Monfils. This is Andy seventh straight qualificationand his sixth appearance withdrawing in 2005. He has an 8âÂÂ8 record reaching the semi-final in 2003, 2004, and 2007. Roddick withdrew from the tournament due to a left leg injury suffered at the Shanghai Masters.
On 12 November â After Verdasco fell to ÃÂiliàin the third round of the 2009 BNP Paribas Masters last years runner-up Nikolay Davydenko of Russia took one of the last two remaining spots.
Nikolay Davydenko won his first tournament at the International German Open defeating Paul-Henri Mathieu. The following week he won the ATP Studena Croatia Open Umag defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero. As well as the inaugural Proton Malaysian Open defeating Fernando Verdasco. Davydenko then claimed his 3rd Masters title at the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 upsetting Rafael Nadal after defeating Novak Djokovic. He well as making the quarterfinals of French Open losing to Söderling. This is his fifth appearance with an 8âÂÂ7 record. His best performance came last year as he reached the final losing to Novak Djokovic.
On 13 November after both Söderling and Tsonga fell to Djokovic and Nadal respectively in the quarterfinals of the 2009 BNP Paribas Masters Australian Open semifinalist Fernando Verdasco occupied the last remaining spot.
Fernando Verdasco started the year well with a semifinal appearance Australian Open losing to Rafael Nadal in a tournament record 5 hour 14 minute battle after five sets. He claimed his third title of his career in the Pilot Pen Tennis prevailing over Sam Querrey. He was also the runner up in the Brisbane International losing to Radek à  tÃÂpánek and the Malaysian Open losing to Nikolay Davydenko. Verdasco is making his debut at the championship.
After Roddick's withdrawal due to left leg injury on 17 November Robin Söderling was announced as his replacement.
Robin Söderling 's highlight of the year was reaching the French Open final. After becoming the first player to defeat Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros. He won his only title of the year at the Catella Swedish Open defeating Juan Mónaco. He reached 4 semifinals as well at the Heineken Open, Proton Malaysian Open, China Open, and the If Stockholm Open. Soderling is making his debut at the event.
The two alternate spots were up for grabs. With the first one was taken by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who won 3 titles including the SA Tennis Open defeating Jérémy Chardy, the Open 13 defeating Michaël Llodra and at the AIG Japan Open Tennis Championships defeating Mikhail Youzhny. His highlight at the slams was the quarterfinals of the Australian Open losing to Fernando Verdasco. The second spot was taken by Fernando González, who won the 2009 Movistar Open over José Acasuso 6âÂÂ1 6âÂÂ3. As well as reaching the semifinals of the French Open losing to Robin Söderling.
The first two teams qualified for the year-end doubles tournament on 5 July. They were the defending champions Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad ZimonjiÃÂ of Serbia and the American brother duo of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan from the United States following their doubles final at the 2009 Wimbledon.
Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjiàplayed their second full tour together. They started with back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open and at the Medibank International Sydney to the Bryans. They claimed their first title of the year at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. They then claimed three back-to-back titles at Monte-Carlo and Internazionali BNL d'Italia and the Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell. They claimed their fourth title at the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open. The Canadian-Serbian duo hit back from a two-set deficit in The Championships semi-finals at Wimbledon, against James Blake and Mardy Fish, before edging the Bryans in a four-set final. They won their 7th and 8th titles at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors. They won their 9th title and 5th Masters of the year, at the BNP Paribas Masters, and reached the semifinals of the French Open. They have a record of 5 and 0. With a best of Champions last year, this is their 2nd appearance.
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan began with back-to-back titles in Australia by winning the Medibank International Sydney and winning their 7th Slam at the Australian Open. They won their third title of the year at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. The brothers added the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships. They won the LA Tennis Open and China Open. They also reached 5 other finals, Monte-Carlo, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Wimbledon, Western & Southern Financial Group and Davidoff. They were the only team to reach the semifinal or better at all 4 slams. Bob Bryan also won the French Open Mixed Doubles playing with Liezel Huber. This is their 10th appearance.
On 10 September the teams of Mahesh Bhupathi/Mark Knowles and LukÃ¡à ¡ Dlouhý/Leander Paes following the US Open finals, the two teams are competing in their second straight year-end championship.
Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles only win came at the Rogers cup. They also finished as runner-up at the Australian Open and at the US Open. As well as at the Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell. Separately Bhupathi won the Australian mixed doubles with Mirza. Knowles won the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships with Fish and the Wimbledon mixed doubles with Anna-Lena Grönefeld. and the final of the China Open with Roddick.
LukÃ¡à ¡ Dlouhý and Leander Paes won two out of four Grand Slams. They won the French Open. and the US Open. They finished as runners-up at ABN AMRO. They reached the Australian Open semifinals. Paes separately reached and lost three finals, the Heineken Open with Scott Lipsky and the Mixed doubles finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open with Cara Black.
The last four qualifiers were decided at the 2009 BNP Paribas Masters. They were à Âukasz Kubot/Oliver Marach, Frantià ¡ek ÃÂermák/Michal Mertià Âák, Max Mirnyi/Andy Ram only after Wesley Moodie/Dick Norman were ousted. Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski qualified after winning their quarterfinal match-up against the Bryans.
à Âukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach claimed three doubles titles, in their debut year. They took the Grand Prix Hassan II, the Serbia Open and the Bank Austria-TennisTrophy. They also reached the final of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. At the Slams, they were able to reach their first Major semifinals at the Australian.
Frantià ¡ek ÃÂermák and Michal Mertià Âák, in their first year on tour together, won 5 titles., the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, the MercedesCup, at the ATP Studena Croatia Open Umag, the BCR Open Romania, and finally at the Valencia Open 500. They also reached the finals of the Movistar Open.
Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram reached three finals, all Masters 1000 events. They won one of these finals at the Sony Ericsson and lost the BNP Paribas Open and the Rogers Masters. They reached the US Open semifinal. Ram separately finished as runner-up at the Australian mixed doubles with Nathalie Dechy and at the Open 13 with Julian Knowle.
Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski won the Aegon International and the Malaysian Open. They also reached the finals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.
The tournament was conducted in a round robin format. The eight players/teams divided in two groups. The eight seeds were determined by the South African Airways ATP rankings and the 2009 ATP Doubles Team Rankings of Monday, 16 November 2009. The top seed was placed in Group A and the second seed placed in Group B. Players/teams seeded three and four, five and six, seven and eight, were then drawn in pairs placing the first drawn in Group A.
Group A: Consisted of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Juan MartÃÂn del Potro and Fernando Verdasco. Against the rest of the group, Roger Federer was 12âÂÂ7, Andy Murray was 17âÂÂ5, Juan MartÃÂn del Potro was 2âÂÂ10 and Fernando Verdasco was 1âÂÂ10.
Andy Murray led 6âÂÂ3 against Federer, having won 4 of their last 5 meetings at that point. Murray was 4âÂÂ1 against del Potro and 7âÂÂ1 over Verdasco. Federer was 3âÂÂ0 against Verdasco and 6âÂÂ1 over del Potro. Verdasco and del Potro faced each other for the first time.
Group B: Against the rest of the group, Rafael Nadal was 21âÂÂ10, Novak Djokovic 13âÂÂ16, Nikolay Davydenko 8âÂÂ12 and Robin Söderling 7âÂÂ11.
Nadal was 14âÂÂ6 with Djokovic. Nadal led 4âÂÂ3 against Davydenko. Nadal edged Soderling, 3âÂÂ1. Djokovic was tied with Davydenko at 2âÂÂ2, and was 5âÂÂ0 against Söderling. Söderling led Davydenko 6âÂÂ3 including 5 of their last 6 meetings.
Group A: Nestor/Zimonjiàwere joined by Bhupathi/Knowles, ÃÂermák/Michal Mertià Âák and Fyrstenberg/Matkowski. Against the rest of the group Nestor/Zimonjiàwere 8âÂÂ3, whilst Bhupathi/Knowles were 7âÂÂ1. ÃÂermák/Mertià Âák were 0âÂÂ1 and Frystenberg/Matkowski were 2âÂÂ8.
Nestor/Zimonjic were 3âÂÂ1 against Bhupathi/Knowles, 4âÂÂ2 against Fyrstenberg/Matkowski and 1âÂÂ0 against Cermak/Mertinak. Bhupathi and Knowles had never played Cermak/Mertinak but were 4 and 0 against Fyrstenberg/Matkowski. Cermak/Merinak had never faced Fyrstenberg/Matkowski.
Group B: Against the rest of the group the Bryans were 7âÂÂ3, while Dlouhý/Paes were 1âÂÂ3 while Ram/Mirnyi were at 2âÂÂ2 and Kubot and Marach were 0âÂÂ3.
The Bryans were 3âÂÂ1 up against Dlouhý/Paes, 2âÂÂ2 with Ram/Mirnyi and 3âÂÂ0 against Kubot/Marach. Ram/Mirnyi and Dlouhý/Paes had never faced their other opponents.
These are the head-to-heads as they approach the tournament. <div style="text-align: center;">
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The tournament started with group A doubles action. In the opening match the top doubles team and defending champions Nestor/Zimonjiàbeing upset by Fyrstenberg/Matkowski 6âÂÂ4, 6âÂÂ4. The Polish team faced no break points.
In the first singles match, 2008 semifinalist Murray fought del Potro. Murray went up 5âÂÂ0 over Del Potro, who took a medical timeout at 3âÂÂ0, for a nosebleed. Del Potro dropped to 15âÂÂ40, but eventually saved two set points and won the game. At 5âÂÂ1, on the second break point Del Potro challenged Murray's apparent ace and won the break. Both players then held, giving Murray the first set 6âÂÂ3. In the second set, Del Potro looked rejuvenated taking the first 3 games; breaking at love in the second game. Murray broke in the 5th game to bring it back to serve. The Argentine broke again and held to lead 5âÂÂ2. Both players held, requiring a third set. The decider saw a change of roles as Murray broke in the second game at his second chance to lead 3âÂÂ0. The servers held the next four games to 5âÂÂ2. At 5âÂÂ2 Del Potro went down 15âÂÂ30, and then double-faulted, giving Murray 2 match points. Murray converted the second.
Number 3 Bhupathi/Knowles dominated ÃÂermák/Mertià Âák 6âÂÂ3, 6âÂÂ3.
Federer/Verdasco started with Verdasco breaking Federer and holding to lead 2âÂÂ0. At 3âÂÂ2, Verdasco was warned for taking too much time. Verdasco held for a 4âÂÂ2 lead. In the next game Federer saved two break points. The two players then held, giving Verdasco the set 6âÂÂ4. In the second set both players held serve comfortably to 6âÂÂ5, when Federer broke to win the set 7âÂÂ5. In the 3rd, Federer took a 5âÂÂ0 lead and won 4âÂÂ6, 7âÂÂ5, 6âÂÂ1.
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Nadal/Söderling was a sequel to the fourth round of the French Open. Söderling broke in the second game and led 3âÂÂ0, quickly reversed by Nadal for 3âÂÂ3. From there both players held to 5âÂÂ4. At 40âÂÂ30 Nadal made three unforced errors, giving Söderling the first at 6âÂÂ4. In the second set Nadal broke in the 3rd game for 2âÂÂ1. Nadal then saved two break points before Söderling challenged a backhand from Nadal. Both players then held. At 5âÂÂ4 Nadal faced match point at 30âÂÂ40, which Söderling converted to win the set 6âÂÂ4 and the match.
The final match repeated last year's final pitting Djokovic against Davydenko. At 2âÂÂ2 in the 1st Davydenko broke at love. Then the Russian saved one break point for 4âÂÂ2. Both then held. Djokovic faced two set points and gave Davydenko the first set 6âÂÂ3. At 2âÂÂ2 on serve in the 2nd Davydenko saved two break points to lead 3âÂÂ2. At 4âÂÂ4 Davydenko's unforced errors gave Djokovic a break and he served out the set 6âÂÂ4. In the decider Djokovic broke early for 2âÂÂ0. He served for the match at 5âÂÂ4 but Davydenko broke back. Djokovic broke back and served the match out.
The doubles competition produced two upsets as Mirnyi/Ram beat World no. 2 the Bryans 6âÂÂ4, 6âÂÂ4. Kubot/Marach defeated Dlouhý/Paes in straight sets. <div style="text-align: center;">
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The next day del Potro and Verdasco played each other for the first time. In the 3rd game del Potro broke at 15. Both held giving del Potro the first set 6âÂÂ4. At 4âÂÂ3 in the second Verdasco converted the first break point to lead 5âÂÂ3. Verdasco won 6âÂÂ3 triggering a deciding set. Verdasco went down 3âÂÂ2 and 0âÂÂ40. He saved 2 break points but at 30âÂÂ40, del Potro challenged a Verdasco forehand called in. Hawk-Eye reversed the call giving del Potro a 4âÂÂ2 lead. Verdasco saved match point at 5âÂÂ2, then Verdasco broke and held to level the set at 5âÂÂ5. Del Potro won the eventual tie-break 7âÂÂ1.
Federer then took on Murray. Both players immediately broke, then at 3âÂÂ2 Federer held only 2 of 3 break points. The first set went to Murray 6âÂÂ3. In the 6th game of the second set the Swiss was able to break and served it out for 6âÂÂ3. Federer then broke in the third, fifth and seventh games to finish 6âÂÂ1.
Bhupathi/Knowles outlasted Fyrstenberg/Matkowski 3âÂÂ6, 6âÂÂ3, [10âÂÂ7], taking them to the semifinal. Defending champions Nestor/Zimonjiàlost to ÃÂermák/Mertià Âák 6âÂÂ3, 6âÂÂ4. <div style="text-align: center;">
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First Söderling battled Djokovic. No break opportunities emerged until 5âÂÂ4 when Djokovic saved 3. In the following tie-break, the Swede took a 2âÂÂ0 lead and then the Serb took three. Söderling got a mini-break for 6âÂÂ4, and won at 7âÂÂ5. Djokovic then won the opening game but then Söderling won the next six to advance to the semifinal.
The next match was a Shanghai final rematch between Davydenko and Nadal. Davydenko raced into a 3âÂÂ0 lead. In the 6th game Davydenko broke again, and served it out at 6âÂÂ1. Davydenko broke Nadal in the 5th game of the 2nd and then saved two break points in the 6th for 4âÂÂ2. Nadal then broke Davydenko to level it at 4âÂÂ4. Both held through to a tie break. Nadal got a mini-break for 2âÂÂ1, but gave it back for 3âÂÂ3. Davydenko then broke for 5âÂÂ3. Davydenko converted his second match point to win at 7âÂÂ4. For the first time in his World Tour Finals history, Nadal failed to reach the semifinal.
In Doubles, in the first match Kubot/Marach outlasted Mirnyi/Ram in a marathon 4âÂÂ6, 6âÂÂ4, [16âÂÂ14] to advance in the top spot. The second match saw the Bryans eliminated Dlouhý/Paes. <div style="text-align: center;">
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Murray played Verdasco, hoping for a straight set shot through to the semi-final, leaving Federer and Del Potro to fight for the other spot. A loss for Murray would eliminate him. And a three-set win required a complicated tie break.
In the first eight games, Murray failed to convert multiple break points. In the ninth game, Murray finally succeeded and served it out for 6âÂÂ4. Verdasco saved break points in the fifth game for 3âÂÂ2. Verdasco saved two more break points in the 11th game, leading to a tie-break. Verdasco won the early lead 4âÂÂ2 but Murray recovered to reach 4âÂÂ5 on serve. Verdasco won the next point before Murray double faulted to give Verdasco the set. In the third Verdaso save the only break point in the second. Verdasco double faulted to give Murray a 4âÂÂ2 lead who held on to win the breaker 7âÂÂ3.
The last match repeated US Open final as Federer took on del Potro. Del Potro broke in the 1st and 5th games thanks to a Federer double fault, winning the opening set 6âÂÂ2. Federer saved a break point in the next game, eventually reaching a tie break. Del Potro claimed a 4âÂÂ2 lead, but Federer fought back to win 7âÂÂ5. That put Federer into the semi-final. Murray needed Federer to win four games in the final set for him to advance but Federer did not oblige. At 4âÂÂ3 Federer went down 0âÂÂ40. He saved one break point but del Potro got the next and closed out the match 6âÂÂ3.
Murray was thereby out, with Federer and del Potro advancing. The three players won the same number of matches and leaving it to game percentage. All of the Group A matches went three sets.
In the doubles Nestor/Zimonjiàwere eliminated despite claiming their first victory over Bhupathi/Knowles at 6âÂÂ4, 7âÂÂ6. The second match saw ÃÂermák/Mertià Âák move on by defeating Fyrstenberg/Matkowski, finishing second in the group. <div style="text-align: center;">
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Nadal began the day by taking on Djokovic. Djokovic broke in the opening game. Nadal struck back in the next game after Djokovic saved two break points. In the third game, Djokovic broke again. In the next game, Djokovic held, taking a 3âÂÂ1 lead. Nadal held and then broke. Both players then held to force a tie-break. Djokovic took the mini-break to lead 4âÂÂ2 and held on for 7âÂÂ5. Djokovic broke for the fourth time, gaining a 3âÂÂ1 lead. Djokovic took the match at 6âÂÂ3.
Söderling still had to battle Davydenko, who was trying to claim the second semifinal berth. In the 7th game Davydenko failed to convert break points, as did Söderling in the next 8th, eventually leading to a tie break. There were no mini-breaks until the changeover, which was followed by three straight, giving Davydeno the set 7âÂÂ4. In the 9th game of the second set Söderling broke at love and won the set 6âÂÂ4, giving him the top spot in Group B. At 3âÂÂ2 in the final set Davydenko broke to lead 5âÂÂ2. Söderling held. At 5âÂÂ3 with two match points, Davydenko double-faulted, but converted the next match point to win 6âÂÂ3. This win meant that Davydenko would face Federer, becoming the only 2008 singles semifinalist to go through to the 2009 semifinals.
In doubles, Dlouhý/Paes lost their final round robin match to Mirnyi/Ram 7âÂÂ6, 6âÂÂ4. Then the Bryans had to win their match against Kubot/Marach in straight sets to reach the semi-final, which they did 6âÂÂ3, 6âÂÂ4. <div style="text-align: center;">
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Play began between Federer and last year's runner-up Davydenko. Federer had won all 12 prior encounters. Davydenko saved two early break points. In the next game. Davydenko broke, then held and broke again at love. Federer broke back immediately for 2âÂÂ4. Federer saved only one of two break points, for a third consecutive break. Davydenko held for 6âÂÂ2. At 5âÂÂ5, Davydenko converted a break point and in the next game saved one of his own before serving it out in his first win over Federer.
In the evening semifinal, Söderling played del Potro, having split their last two meetings. In the third game, Söderling saved three break points from 0âÂÂ40 for 2âÂÂ1. Both players continued to hold, creating a tie-break. Söderling went up 5âÂÂ0, before winning it 7âÂÂ1. At 4âÂÂ3 in the second set, del Potro broke Söderling and held on for 6âÂÂ3. The third set saw Söderling break to lead 4âÂÂ2 and del Potro break for 4âÂÂ3. From there, both players held. In the tie-break, del Potro went up 4âÂÂ0 lead and won 7âÂÂ3.
Mirnyi/Ram defeated ÃÂermák/Mertià Âák 6âÂÂ4, 7âÂÂ6 to reach the finals. Then, there was an Australian Open final rematch pitting the Bryans against Bhupathi/Knowles. The result was the same, with the Bryan twins taking it 6âÂÂ4, 6âÂÂ4. <div style="text-align: center;">
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The Bryans got a first set chest bump after taking the first set point on a down-the-middle backhand. A single break in game eight of the second set was enough for the brothers to serve for the match. The pair thrilled to have regained the title and the top ranking.
Finally, del Potro and Davydenko having both defeated Soderling, Federer, and one Spaniard along the way faced off. This was their fourth meeting, with Davydenko leading 2âÂÂ1. Davydenko broke at his second chance and then easily served out the set. In the second set at 2âÂÂ2, del Potro saved a break point. Davydenko did the same, for 3âÂÂ3. At 4âÂÂ4 Davydenko broke at love. Davydenko then served the match out for a 6âÂÂ3, 6âÂÂ4 win. This was Davydenko's biggest title to date.
Del Potro commented "Congratulations Nikolay, you had a great week, you beat everyone and you're a great champion. Thank you the crowd, you support me a lot and helped me. I hope to see you next year." Davydenko added; "Yeah!... I just want to congratulate Martin: he had a big season. For me it was amazing, coming in as number seven and winning the tournament. I surprised myself. Maybe I now have English fans... I hope. I really enjoy coming to London, I will try to come back again." He also added "Trophy, it's always something important, you know, in career for the tennis player. Something important for me because Federer I beat in semifinals. It was a great match, good feeling. Never beat him before. And beat him once here in semifinals. But, you know, finals different". <div style="text-align: center;">
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