20 Saturday, November 18, 2017 SPORTS London t’s no secret that the resurgence of Rafael Nadal and Roger No. 1 is FedererI has stolen the headlines on the ATP World Tour this year. Big title after big title was ‘Ultimate theirs to seize and the duo would be rewarded with the top two spots in the year-end Emirates ATP Rankings. achievement, While Nadal will finish the

ATP Finals season ahead of Federer at No. 1, the battle for the top position but not is far from finished. Should the Swiss lift the trophy at this Goffin week’s Nitto ATP Finals, the gap between the two legends realistic’: would be a mere 140 points, as the calendar flips to 2018. That is, just 140 points that separate Federer Federer from adding to his record 302 weeks at World No. 1. The top spot is within reach, but while the Swiss admits it would be an incredible achievement, he is staying realistic. to face “It is interesting,” Federer said following a three-set win over Marin Cilic to close out a perfect run through Group Boris Becker. “It’s the ultimate achievement in tennis. It always has been for me. But at this age, it just can’t be because I think I’ll make mistakes if I start chasing it. “I’m not sure how much the body allows me to chase goals like this. Maybe if I start thinking about it too often and too much, I Federer think I’m maybe also not playing London backhand wide to miss a third break point at 4-1 the way I’m supposed to be elgian seventh seed David Goffin completed down, he had racked up 22 unforced errors. playing, maybe I tense up, maybe the semi-final line-up at the ATP Finals Goffin remained steady and patient, coming I’m nervous, maybe that’s not Bwith victory over Austrian fourth seed Dominic through that game in 11 minutes for a 5-1 lead good for my back. Who knows Thiem in London. and closing out the victory with a backhand what it is.” (atpworldtour) Goffin won 6-4 6-1 to secure second place in winner after an unexpectedly swift 71 minutes. the Pete Sampras Group and set up a semi-final “It was a pity to play against Dominic, he is against Roger Federer on Saturday. such a good friend and a nice guy, it’s “It will be a tough match, so nice to never easy to play against a friend,” play a semi against him,” said Goffin. said Goffin. Kerber Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov will face “It was tough, I was focused, I American Jack Sock in Saturday’s other knew I had to stay calm and be last-four contest. ready for a tough battle. At the end appoints Fourth seed Thiem produced a I was happy with the way I managed desperately disappointing performance the match.” with the prize of a semi-final place at the It was an impressive response from Fissette as season finale on offer. the Belgian, who beat a struggling He began in suitably focused fashion, Rafael Nadal in his opening match winning a punishing 32-stroke rally before taking just two games new coach on his way to establishing a against a rampant 3-0 lead, but Goffin would Dimitrov. win 12 of the next 14 “After the first games. match against Rafael A double-fault from I wasted so much the Austrian handed energy, I was not the break back in ready for Grigor, game five, one of 15 but I had a good straight points Thiem rest yesterday conceded as he and was ready Angelique Kerber (file pic) started to spray errors for today, and from the baseline. I hope I can London successful season a year later. There was a chance do the same ormer world number one Angelique ”It’s been tough but I‘m about to start a to re-establish himself for the semi- Kerber is hoping to bounce back new chapter in my career, with a new coach,“ in the set with Goffin finals,” Ffrom a disappointing campaign with the Kerber said on her official Twitter account. serving for it at 30-30, added announcement that Belgian Wim Fisette will ”Thank you Torben Beltz for everything that but Thiem leaked a Goffin. replace Torben Beltz as her coach in 2018, the you’ve done for me. “The next season is forehand pass wide and (BBC) German said on Thursday. coming soon and I‘m very excited to start the set was gone when Goffin After winning two grand slams and an working with Wim Fissette as my new coach. slammed a forehand winner Olympic silver medal in 2016, the 29-year-old It’s a new chance and I‘m curious to find out down the line. failed to claim a single title this year and fell what we can achieve together.” After a brief delay for to 21st in the world rankings, also losing her Fissette has previously worked with attention to a bloodied knee, David Goffin (file pic) spot as German number one to Julia Goerges. top players such as Kim Clijsters, Victoria Thiem continued to struggle Kerber and compatriot Beltz first worked Azarenka and Simona Halep, and coached badly in the second set. together from 2011-13 and rejoined forces in Britain’s Johanna Konta for the 2017 season. By the time he fired a 2015, with the German pair having their most (Reuters)