TENNIS: NADAL v FEDERER

THE Barclays ATP World Tour Finals conclude today with the two finest players on the planet battling it out for the top prize.

Step forward my pre-tournament pick Rafael Nadal and world No.2 Roger Federer.

Both players have been in blistering form at London's 02 Arena and came through their semi-finals yesterday with near-flawless displays.

World No.1 Nadal put paid to Andy Murray's hopes in an epic contest, eventually beating Scotland's British No.1 by 7-6(5) 3-6 7-6(6).

Swiss ace Federer had the much easier route, beating world No.3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia 6-1 6-4.

Nadal, with as season record of 71-9, was my tip to capture his first World Tour Finals title and with just one match to play I wouldn't dream of changing my mind.

The 24-year-old Mallorcan was priced 3-1 second favourite ahead of play last Sunday but is now a biggest 11-8 with Skybet, Victor Chandler, Stan James and William Hill.

Pre-London bookies favourite Federer (64-13 for the season) is gunning for his fifth World Tour Finals title and is 4-6 with bet365.

Federer's record in the Finals is most likely the reason he's still fancied with the bookies to win again but this event is another missing from Nadal's career and therefore why I believe he will win today.

His previous best was two semi-finals appearances and it's worth noting that after beating Murray he announced: “Being in the final is a dream”.

For the record the pair have met 21 times previously with Nadal an incredible 14-7 up on his great rival.

Three sets (5-4, Skybet) are likely to be required so that's the safer route if you are unsure about a winner.

If you fancy Roger to win 2-1 you'll get 10-3 with bet365, Nadal 4-1 with Stan James.

A market I have turned my attentions to recently in tennis is tiebreaks with decent prices often on offer.

With three sets likely there's a great chance of a nailbiting shoot-out at 6-6 and William Hill are offering 23-20 on a tiebreak.

Ace forecast

• Nadal 2-1 (4-1, Stan James)

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