Just posting info this week that I find that might useful to you and thoughts on prices, handicaps, totals, whatever. Last tournament of the season, so let's be strong with the money management and strategy my dudes.
Tournament Overview
GROUP A
Djokovic
Murray
Tsonga
Berdych
Easily the tougher group of the two. Lots of things to consider to begin. #1, Djokovic's health/mental state. He was obviously struggling with both health & concentration in Paris. Going out early in Paris likely was a best case scenario for him. While most seem to think he's going to hit the ground running and advance from this group, I think you have to tread lightly until you see him play this first match. His father's health problems obviously weighed on him. Likely, that won't be a concentration issue this time - but who knows for sure until he hits the O2 in London. Murray obviously will be the crowd favorite. The meltdown against Janowicz last week not withstanding, he has been fairlysteady since winning the US Open. He made the semis in Tokyo and the Final in Shanghai before last week's crash out. Health/fatigue wise, he could be in the best shape of this group. Djokovic has the illness questions from last week. Berdych looked very uneven in most of his matches last week in Paris & Tsonga was carrying a back issue into Paris. Tsonga looks to be a longshot in this group. He played very well here last year, but opens with a bad match-up against Djokovic ... if Djokovic is 100%. He's also been beaten by Berdych twice in October, but both were competitive. Murray has beaten him five times straight, but they've only met once this year and that was @ Wimbledon.
Outlook: If Djokovic is close to 100%, I am expecting a strong effort as he came into the O2 last season at far less than 100% and did not show strong. I think even though he's guaranteed to finish #1, finishing strong in this tournament is important to him - especially after failing to win any of the past three Slams. Murray looks to be the other best shot in this group. I could see Berdych sneaking into the semis if he can beat Murray to open, but his play has to be a lot more consistent than it was in Paris.
Group B
Federer
Del Potro
Ferrer
Tipsarevic
Absolutely no doubt that Federer is in the best shape of anyone in this group. He took off from Paris, sacrificing the #1 ranking to prep for this tournament. Both Ferrer & Del Potro carry some solid form with both winning two indoor tournaments in the past few weeks. Fatigue though is a real potential hazard for both, especially Ferrer who won Paris on Sunday and will have very little recovery time. Tipsarevic's physical ailments likely make him a non-factor in this group and I still would not be surprised if he doesn't get subbed out for an alternate this week at some point. Other than the loss to Del Potro in Basel, Federer has owned Del Potro for most of 2012 and maybe has the extra incentive from that loss next time they meet. His record against Ferrer is impeccable. Federer should qualify for the semis with relative ease and is a solid shot to win the group. The other spot should come down to Del Potro and Ferrer. Give Del Potro the edge as he gets Ferrer first-up on Tuesday in a spot where he could possibly exploit his fatigue.
Outlook: Federer will be one of the two semifinalists here. He chose this is the more important tournament than Paris and his effort should show. Del Potro-Ferrer winner will have a leg up on the 2nd spot. I give Delpo a slight edge again as Ferrer even with his fitness will likely show some wear and tear after a couple longer weeks.
Futures
Federer to Win +285
Murray to Win Group A +150
Both these are made to hedge IMO. It would be a pretty big upset for Federer not to be in the knockout round, so you should have a shot to hedge out in the semis or final if need be. Murray to win the group to me is a better shot than Djokovic @ shorter odds simply because of not knowing exactly how he will come into this event. Likely, it's a Djokovic-Murray head-2-head battle to win this group.