Roger Federer was back in the groove on Sunday at the ATP World Tour Finals as the six-time champion defeated Milos Raonic in straight sets, while Japan’s Kei Nishikori made a dream debut with a surprise maiden victory over Andy Murray.
Federer last won the prestigious season-ending event at London’s O2 Arena in 2011 and the world No.2 put in a powerful 6-1 7-6 (7-0) performance, featuring 24 winners, avenging his loss to Raonic last month in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.
Raonic, 23, is making his Tour Finals debut after a breakthrough year including a run to the Wimbledon semi-finals.
But, at 33, Federer has been in age-defying form this year and he arrived as the oldest player to qualify for the tournament in his record 13th consecutive appearance.
Federer is set to become the oldest to finish a season in the world’s top two and still has a chance to end the year as world No.1 if he can overhaul Novak Djokovic.
The 17-time grand slam winner wasn’t intimidated by Raonic’s initial serving barrage, earning three break points that swiftly turned into a 2-0 lead.
The Swiss broke again in the sixth game before closing out the set emphatically.
Raonic began to assert himself early in the second, forcing Federer to dig deep to save two break points in the fourth game.
Raonic’s serve was in the groove and, with his groundstrokes equally vigorous, he earned a set point at 6-5.
Yet Federer escaped that predicament and forced a tiebreaker, which he took ruthlessly to seal the win.
“I was very happy with how I performed. The second set was much tougher. I don’t think he played a great breaker but it was a great one to win,” Federer said.
“It’s a small relief. We have a tough group here so it’s always going to be hard advancing but it brings me a step closer.”
Nishikori, the first Asian singles player to qualify for the Tour Finals, beat Murray 6-4 6-4.
The 24-year-old had failed to win even a set in three previous losses to Murray, but the last came more than two years ago.
He took the game to the Scot from the start and hit 20 winners in 95 minutes, giving him a good chance to reach the semi-finals.
“Maybe in the beginning I was a little bit tight, but I started feeling better and the second set was almost perfect,” Nishikori said.
“I knew I had to be more aggressive than usual and that’s how I won. It’s my goal to go to the semi-final and final.”
Murray added: “It’s harder to qualify when you lose your first match. That’s pretty obvious.
“I need to win my next two matches more than likely, and win them well if I want to go through.”
On Monday, defending champion Djokovic faces US Open winner Marin Cilic, while Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka plays Tomas Berdych.
