World number two Roger Federer started his World Tour Finals campaign with a straight-sets victory over Canada's Milos Raonic in London on Sunday. The Swiss player won 6-1 7-6 (7-0 in the tie-break) to get revenge after being defeated by Raonic in Paris two weeks ago. Also in Group B Kei Nishikori defeated Andy Murray in straight sets. Federer can still end the year as the world number one but he will need at least to make the semi-finals.
The Swiss player made a great start to the match end wrapped up the first set quickly before edging the second. "I was very happy with how I performed and thanks for the ovation when I entered the building," Federer said in front of the crowd after the match. "The second set was much tougher, it was an important set to win. I don't think he played a great breaker but it was a great one to win. It's a small relief, but we have a tough group here so it's always going to be hard advancing, but it brings me a step closer. I'm looking forward to playing Nishikori now."
This is the first time at the World Tour Finals for Raonic while Federer is making his 13th successive appearance. Raonic is the first ever Canadian to qualify for the tournament and he was just 11 years old when Federer played the ATP Finals for the first time. "Obviously it can come down just to one play, and we might be playing a third set," said Raonic after the match. "But it's obviously disappointing, very disappointing actually, the way I finished that second set off."
The second round of matches on Tuesday will see Federer take on Nishikori with Murray up against Canadian Raonic. Here are the odds for the two matches at Bet365:
Federer win - 2/5 Nishikori win - 2/1
Murray win - 8/15 Raonic win - 6/4
kkole 9 years ago
I hear that final match wasn't played becouse Roger Federer had some problems. But I think that Djokovic would win it anyway. DJokovic is in great form and I think that in this moment nobody can't win against him. He deserve first place on ATP tour and congrat. to him. Federer is great player but best days is behind him...
I hear that final match wasn't played becouse Roger Federer had some problems. But I think that Djokovic would win it anyway. DJokovic is in great form and I think that in this moment nobody can't win against him. He deserve first place on ATP tour and congrat. to him. Federer is great player but best days is behind him and I think that he should think about ending career
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Johnajax 9 years ago
Tonight we will se finals. Djokovic is in great form, he secure first place on ATP list for this year but he have a lot motive to win tonight also. But tonight he won't have easy job. he play agains Federer who play like five or sic yers ago and I think that (it si only my opinion) Federed is closer to win this match and...
Tonight we will se finals. Djokovic is in great form, he secure first place on ATP list for this year but he have a lot motive to win tonight also. But tonight he won't have easy job. he play agains Federer who play like five or sic yers ago and I think that (it si only my opinion) Federed is closer to win this match and this tournament. But we all know that Djokovic never give up and we will see great match for sure
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Johnajax 9 years ago
Roger Federer is best tennis player I ever wathced. And I think that he is best player ever. He had biggest domination, he finnished five year in a row on first place of ATP at the end of the year, he has a lot of grand slams, and he have best tehnique I ever seen. Nadal is great player but he run a lot and that is so special...
Roger Federer is best tennis player I ever wathced. And I think that he is best player ever. He had biggest domination, he finnished five year in a row on first place of ATP at the end of the year, he has a lot of grand slams, and he have best tehnique I ever seen. Nadal is great player but he run a lot and that is so special about him, but when you see roger you won't see a lot of running, and fight for every ball, but you will see perfect tehnique and best backhend ever :)
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Milaneli 9 years ago
Greatest player in history of tenis is still in great shape. I wonder when is he going to end his carrer, since it looks like he can play for a long time still.. :) Great tournament in O2 arena, I am predicting finals, Federer vs djokovic for sure, no one else can really reach finals..
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Shumar4life 9 years ago
Despite that fact that Federe will never be any younger, he still has quality which one he can show to us and we can see that on this tournament. I will enjoy in his games, despite that I am fan of Djokovic, because we will miss Federer at the top of tennis, and that is for sure
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galata86 9 years ago
I can't believe that you are comparing Djokovic and Federer. I mean if you look just this and past 2-3 years Djokovic is better. But if you look at all trophies and whole career I think that Roger is greatest player that ever played tennis. After fedex we have nadal or pit sampras, and Djokovic must win much more trophies...
I can't believe that you are comparing Djokovic and Federer. I mean if you look just this and past 2-3 years Djokovic is better. But if you look at all trophies and whole career I think that Roger is greatest player that ever played tennis. After fedex we have nadal or pit sampras, and Djokovic must win much more trophies to be better than Federer.
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Pera Zdera 9 years ago
Great match for Roger Federer. Good realization of the first serve, and the inevitable victory of the Roger. I think he will pass to the second round and hope finals between him and Djokovic. Nice to see the rivalry between Djokovic and Federer and the fight for first place at the end of the year.
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mdacic 9 years ago
For me djokovic have chanse to be better than federer and I think he will be !
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VlahovicNovo 9 years ago
Roger never die :).He play very good and opponent no way to take break chance.My favorite is Novak Djokovic but if Roger play thats good everithing is possible.Today he will play with Nishikori who is on fire after win against Murray.I think Fedex will win that match and go in 2nd round.
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galata86 9 years ago
It is great to see Roger to play like this. This is very very late age for tennis and playing on this level is amaizing and this can only great players like him. I just can't imagine rafa or novak when they got over 30 to play like this special rafa who is great player only becouse of his running ability. Well done roger
It is great to see Roger to play like this. This is very very late age for tennis and playing on this level is amaizing and this can only great players like him. I just can't imagine rafa or novak when they got over 30 to play like this special rafa who is great player only becouse of his running ability. Well done roger
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Tomas.White 9 years ago
Roger Federer is top class player and he is showing that despite his, someone can say late years to play on the top level. He is showing that playing form is transient but class is eternal. Very good game for him. From the beginning he showed his supremacy although Milos Raonic is cream of white sport and he is on of best...
Roger Federer is top class player and he is showing that despite his, someone can say late years to play on the top level. He is showing that playing form is transient but class is eternal. Very good game for him. From the beginning he showed his supremacy although Milos Raonic is cream of white sport and he is on of best servers in the world.
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