The Nitto ATP Finals has opened up interesting avenues for players to progress to the business end of the tournament. In his first round-robin match, 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic saw off Argentine Diego Schwartzman in straight sets. Djokovic will be up against in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev in his next round-robin encounter.

In an encore of the Paris Masters final, Medvedev handed Alexander Zverev a sound defeat in his previous round-robin tie at the ATP Finals. Zverev struggled for answers against a marauding Medvedev as the Russian inflicted a 6-3, 6-4 defeat on the German.

Djokovic can make ATP Finals semis by beating Medvedev and favor from Schwartzman

Djokovic will guarantee himself a place in the last-four with a win over the tall Russian and with Schwartzman beating Zverev. The Serb can also progress to the last-four with a straight-set win over Medvedev and with Zverev beating Schwartzman in three sets.

Reigning US Open champion Dominic Thiem has also made the last-four with two wins out of two.

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After avenging his loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final last year, Thiem got the better of Rafael Nadal in a pulsating tie on Tuesday. In a see-saw battle, the Austrian held his nerve in key moments to win 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4).

Medvedev can reach last-four by beating Novak and a loss for Schwartzman over Zverev

Medvedev, too, is in sight of his first semi-final appearance at the Finals. He will get there with an upset win over Djokovic and a loss for Schwartzman against Zverev.

The Russian can also book himself a last-four berth by winning in two sets over the Serb. A three-set win for Schwartzman over Zverev can also guarantee the Russian passage to the last-four.

All the possibilities apart, Djokovic, in current form, looks to be the favorite to make the last-four of the tournament.

The Serb, who bagged his sixth year-end Number 1 award ahead of the tournament, is eyeing his sixth ATP Finals title. It will make him the joint highest championship winner alongside Roger Federer. 

Having failed to lift the trophy for the last four years, the Serb will be desperate to add a sixth title to his name.