Clinical Federer makes it two out of two

Swiss tennis star downs Nishikori in straight sets at World Tour Finals.

LONDON: Roger Federer is on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals after cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori at London’s O2 Arena.

Federer, bidding for his seventh title at the prestigious season-ending event, took just 69 minutes to secure his second Group B win. At 33, Federer is the oldest player to qualify for the Tour Finals in his 13th consecutive appearance, but he has been in age-defying form over the last three days.

The 17-time grand slam champion has defeated Raonic and US Open finalist Nishikori, two of the much-touted next generation of rising stars, without dropping a set and will guarantee top spot in the group, which would bring the added bonus of likely avoiding a semi-final showdown with Novak Djokovic, if he beats Murray tomorrow.

Federer, who last won the Tour Finals in 2011, didn’t need to be at his very best against Nishikori, who made 30 unforced errors in a sloppy effort that left him with one win from two matches, damaging his hopes of making the last four ahead of his final group fixture against Raonic.

“I’ve known Nishikori since he was 17 years old and always thought he was a great talent. He’s going to have a great future,” said Federer.

“I’m looking forward to playing Andy. We’ve played some of the greatest matches.”

Djokovic back in the old routine

Novak Djokovic started his bid for a third successive ATP Tour Finals title with a sublime 6-1, 6-1 victory over Marin Cilic at London’s O2 Arena late Monday.

Djokovic took just 57 minutes to thrash US Open champion Cilic as the world number one extended his winning run at indoor events to 28 matches, a streak that includes 11 consecutive victories at the Tour Finals.

The Serb is bidding to become the first man to win the Tour Finals three times in a row since Ivan Lendl from 1985 to 1987 and he looks in the mood to do just that on the evidence of his latest masterclass.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2014.

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