Tuesday’s ATP Finals Tips: Nishikori and Federer odds-on to win

It’s day three of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, and the second round of matches for the Lleyton Hewitt group.

We’ve been treated to some remarkably competitive matches so far. Three of the four singles contests have required at least one tie-break.

Will it be more of the same? Here’s our take on day three’s match-ups…

Kevin Anderson v Kei Nishikori

Kei Nishikori produced an excellent display on Sunday to defeat Roger Federer 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Can he make it two wins from two against Kevin Anderson? The South African is on a high too after downing Dominic Thiem 6-3, 7-6 (12-10) in his opening match.

Our traders reckon the Japan star can do it. Nishikori is odds-on at 4/6 for a win which would seal his place in the semi-finals.

Anderson is the 6/5 outsider, in what will be the pair’s fourth meeting of the year.

The South African has won two of the last three contests, though Nishikori got his own back in their most recent duel in Paris.

Nishikori holds a 5-3 overall head-to-head advantage over Anderson too, so he knows how to get the better of his 6ft 8in opponent.

That said, Anderson’s wicked serve is likely to keep him in contention, and more tie-breaks wouldn’t be a surprise.

There’s 9/2 about Nishikori winning the first set 6-4, with 4/1 on him to take it 7-6. And it’s 7/4 apiece about the first or second set to go to a tie-break.

Roger Federer v Dominic Thiem

The evening’s contest sees the maestro Roger Federer taking on a pretender to his throne in Dominic Thiem.

Both players need to win this one, having lost their opening group matches.

Thiem leads the head-to-head 2-1, but each of those meetings came in 2016 when the Fed Express was enduring injury difficulties. He’s enjoyed a renaissance since then, claiming three more slams.

So it’s no surprise the Swiss star is 4/11 favourite to get his campaign up and running with a win. Thiem is the 9/4 underdog.

This should be a thrilling contest between two stylish players. It won’t be a match focused on big serves and aces.

If he’s on-form, Federer should still have the guile and nous to remind his young opponent who is boss. The 37-year-old is 10/11 to take the match 2-0, while 4/1 says he wins the opening set 6-3.

Click here for the latest ATP Finals odds.

Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing