Tough draw for No 1 Djokovic

NOVAK Djokovic today faces Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his first match of this year’s Barclays 
ATP World Tour Finals on the same day he reclaims the No 1 ranking.

The Serb is in a tough group with world No 3 Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych as well as Tsonga – a significantly harder-looking proposition than that facing Roger Federer.

Defending champion Federer, who is set to cede his position as world No 1 to Djokovic, is in a group with Juan Martin del Potro, Janko Tipsarevic and David Ferrer, who is replacing his injured Spanish countryman Rafael Nadal. Djokovic will finish 2012 as world No 1 for 
the second successive year. 
“It’s been a great year again. After 2011 it has been the best year of my career. Not just for me but for many players – we have four different grand slam winners and I think the season finale could not come at a better time.”

Six-time winner Federer starts his campaign tomorrow against Tipsarevic, the world No 9 and the lowest-ranked player in the tournament. Ferrer would appear to be the least favoured, especially given his proficiency as a clay-court player, but Federer believes the Spaniard could still pose problems.