So this is round robin - weird.  I'm sure the gambling sites will be thrilled to hear Xavier Malisse declare that he didn't know what he was playing for in the final two sets of his match.

From The Sun-Sentinel: Malisse loses, wins

Despite falling to Rainer Schuettler 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 3-6, third-seeded Xavier Malisse advanced to the quarterfinals because of the round-robin tie-breaking rules.

Malisse's group consisted of three players that each finished 1-1. But the first tiebreaker is based on percentage of sets won. Malisse won a group-best three of five sets, while Schuettler won two of five and Alejandro Falla earned two of four.

Malisse knew before the match that he had to win just one set to claim a spot in the quarterfinals, which plagued his on-court concentration.

"I just don't like the approach," said Malisse, the 2005 Delray champion. "You win a set, then what are you playing for?"

Comments

...and I hear the hammering of nails on the coffin of the round-robin experiment.

Please please! When has round robin in tennis *ever* produced anything but a major embarrassment? Wait until one of these events involve a well known star or two :(

The round-robin thing is the dumbest idea they've come up with. It works for the year-end championships but please leave it for just that tournament. It's what makes the Masters Cup unique

Malisse Loses and Wins ...... and about to Lose in the final againt James Blake just before rain interrupts.

Xavier just won the title. I wonder if he likes or dislikes round robin format now.

Personally, I still hate it.