Roger Federer showed Novak Djokovic won’t have it all his way in London this week with an imposing 7-5, 6-2 triumph over the world No1 on Tuesday.
In the second phase of round robin matches at the ATP World Tour Finals, Federer booked his place in the semi-finals with a classic display against an off-colour
Djokovic, who lost indoors for the first time since 2012, a run of 38 matches.
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Federer won the first set with a break inside 44 minutes before hitting 19 winners to claim the second in just 33 minutes.
Earlier, Kei Nishikori gave his hopes of qualifying for the last four a major boost with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych.
The Japanese suffered a wobble in the second set but recovered to beat the Czech world No6 in two hours and 23 minutes.
Nishikori went into the match with a 3-1 career lead over Berdych, though the pair had not played since 2012. Both players lost their group stage opener – Nishikori to Djokovic and Berdych to Federer – meaning a second defeat would leave their semi-finals hopes hanging by a thread.
Nishikori, the youngest player at the Tour Finals at the age of 25, was receiving plenty of support from compatriots waving the Japanese flag.
He gave Berdych plenty to think about with some drop shots and lobs but the Czech was proving a gritty opponent able to hold his service games under pressure.
The opening set went on serve until Berdych double-faulted in the 11th game which gave Nishikori a window to break. He then won the set on serve with a forehand down the line.
Berdych was 0-2 down in the second set but managed to turn it around, converting both his break point chances.
In the deciding set, Nishikori fashioned two break points in the eighth game and clinched it when Berdych hit a return into the net to go up 5-3, and the Japanese took the next game to love, winning the match with a passing shot down the line.
Berdych’s hopes of reaching the last four are miniscule. He must beat Djokovic in his final group match tomorrow to have any chance of making the last four.
