FedEx Survives Scare, Nadal Beaten

Federer, who is the top seed at the tournament, looked a bit rusty in the opening stages of the game, causing him to lose the first set to the Spaniard. Incidentally, this is the only set he has ever lost to Verdasco in his entire career. Despite being a set down, Roger Federer came back strongly in the second and third sets, winning the 2nd set 7-5, and just racing away in the third set 6-1.

The victory boosts his chances of retaining the world number 1 position at the end of the year, especially after Rafael Nadal lost to Soderling in the Group B match. Both, Nadal and Federer, can end the year as number 1, but both will have to win most, if not all of their matches, at the year end event.

For Roger, his chances to retain the number one position only got stronger with Nadal losing to Robin Soderling in the Group B match. Soderling, the only person to defeat Nadal at the French Open, proved that his shocking victory at Roland Garros was not a fluke, defeating the world number 2 in straight sets. Rafa was looking out of sorts and could not keep up the level of play that everyone is used to seeing from him. Soderling, who incidentally was the first reserve for the tournament, and got to play just because Andy Roddick was injured, showed that he was comfortable playing against the best players in the world, and did not display any signs of nerves. His one hour forty minute demolishing of Nadal proves that he is a serious contender for the crown, and should not be taken lightly.

For Nadal, injuries have kept him sidelined most of the year, and he has taken some time to regain his form. This loss, however, just makes it more difficult for him to get the number 1 position. Though he claims that he is happy with the way the year has turned out, it will be icing on the cake if he ends the year as number one. Though still possible, a number one year ending position seems remote, as Federer will have to lose some of his matches, while Nadal will have to win all his matches, if he wants to accomplish this incredible feat. But knowing how competitive Rafa is, it is not out of reach yet.

In other matches, British number 1 Andy Murray defeated US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro on the opening day of the tournament. With a three set loss to Britain's top ranked player, del Potro is on a downward slump since winning the 2009 US Open. Serbian Novak Djokovic, the favorite to win the ATP Masters Title, also had a victory, against Russian Nikolay Davydenko, though it was a hard fought one, taking a little under 3 hours.

With the number 1 slot still up for grabs, and other players showing that they are not to be taken lightly [read: Murray, Soderling], the competition has just heated up some more. Tuesday will see FedEx take on Andy Murray, another match that just should not be missed, for all tennis fans. With Murray having the home crowd support, will it be the time he finally defeats Federer? Only time will tell. Till then, the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London is THE place to be.