Each day, two matches are being played among the world’s best male singles players.  This is the ATP World Tour Finals, formerly, the Masters Cup, formerly the Masters.

On Day 1, Roger Federer showed that he could still hit a ball, and took Verdasco down in three sets, including a lopsided 6-1 third set.  The winning result, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1, was expected.  Federer had played Verdasco three times, and won all three.  The two met in Indian Wells earlier this year which Roger won in straight sets.

Andy Murray had the local crowd around him.  He’s probably playing his best tennis since the beginning of the year.  Although the casual observer might think del Potro would be favored, it’s Murray that’s actually won an indoor tournament (Valencia), not del Potro.  del Potro has had to skip tournaments due to injury, so post US Open, he’s not played top-flight tennis.

Murray was able to run with del Potro, using his slice to good effect, passing del Potro when he ventured to net.  The final score showed the changes of fortune: 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 with Murray handling the first and third sets handily, but del Potro fighting back in the second set.

And Rafael Nadal continues to show that he’s not quite 100%.  Nadal hadn’t met Soderling in competition since he lost his only match as a pro at the French Open.  Arguably, grass or hard courts should favor the hard-hitting Swede so it was odd indeed that his first final was on clay.

Soderling again showed that he’s ready to take on Nadal and beat him 6-4, 6-4 in round-robin play.  Nadal had an outside shot of becoming the year-end number 1, but needs to get far in the tournament combined with Roger losing early.  Neither appears to be happening right now.

Nikolay Davydenko will meet Novak Djokovic again.  They last met in the semifinals of Shanghai, a match Davydenko won in a third set tiebreak and then went on to beat Nadal for the title.  This match will be played later today (Monday).