Roger Federer’s class shone like a beacon over the murky waters of round-robin tennis with a 6-3 6-2 defeat of Kei Nishikori at the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday before Andy Murray stayed afloat by defeating Milos Raonic.
The 33-year-old Swiss maestro, bidding for a seventh title at the ATP’s year-ending shootout, oozed confidence as he racked up his second consecutive victory in Group B.
However, Murray’s 6-3 7-5 defeat of big-serving Raonic means that all scenarios are still possible going into Thursday’s matches when group leader Federer faces Murray and winless Raonic takes on Asian trailblazer Nishikori.
Home favourite Murray, beaten by Nishikori on Sunday, had the added pressure of knowing that defeat to Raonic would have eliminated him but the world number six delighted a capacity crowd in the O2 Arena with a steadfast display.
All permutations possible
Should Federer win a set against Murray on Thursday he will definitely progress to the semi-finals while Murray needs a straight sets victory to be all but guaranteed a last-four slot.
Nishikori, Asia’s first qualifier for the prestige event, would also be well-placed if he beats Raonic with ease, while Canadian Raonic needs a straight sets win to stand any chance of reaching the semis.
Rather than needing calculators and algebra, Federer prefers to let his racket do the math and he was precise again on Tuesday as he outclassed U.S. Open runner-up Nishikori.
After six round-robin matches here in London there is yet to be a three-setter, but Federer’s 69-minute master class against Nishikori kept the capacity crowd enthralled.
Nothing spectacular
There was nothing spectacular about Murray’s performance against Raonic, although the Scot was relieved to get the better of a man who had beaten him three times out of four.
Raonic’s erratic forehand buckled in the sixth game of the opening set, gifting Murray a break which proved decisive.
Murray broke early in the second set but Raonic converted a rare opportunity to hit back and looked capable of setting up a deciding set until he wavered at 5-5. Murray, who played six consecutive weeks to ensure his place in the draw, claimed victory and will now look forward to a make-or-break clash with Federer.
“It’s always a pleasure to play against Roger. He’s one of the greatest players that’s ever played so to get the opportunity to play him in an atmosphere like this is excellent,” Murray said. “On Sunday, there wasn’t much magic. But today I came up with some good shots in the right moments. Milos didn’t serve as well as he can and that helped.”
On Sunday, there wasn’t much magic. But today I came up with some good shots in the right moments. Milos didn’t serve as well as he can and that helped.
