Wednesday 12 November 2014 07:14, UK
Roger Federer closed in on the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals after a very one-sided 6-3 6-2 victory against Kei Nishikori at London's O2 Arena.
Federer, who last won the prestigious season-ending event at this venue in 2011, looks in the mood to add to his six titles on the evidence of a powerful performance against the US Open finalist in 69 minutes.
The world No 2 is in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals as he retains the group's only perfect record after two games. Andy Murray and Nishikori boths have a win each while Milos Ranoic is bottom following a straight-sets loss to Murray on Tuesday night.
Second seed Federer beat Raonic in his opening match to get off to a good start, while Asian trailblazer Nishikori quickly became accustomed to the environment by upsetting Murray at the fourth attempt.
Both players were timing the ball beautifully right from the start, but it was the 33-year-old Federer who made the breakthrough in the fourth game thanks to a searing inside out crosscourt forehand winner.
The Swiss maestro duly wrapped up an entertaining, high-octane first set by comfortably serving it out and establishing his supremacy.
Nishikori has enjoyed a breakthrough 2014 season, reaching the US Open final and winning four titles, but the Japanese speedster was finding it tough going on the slow surface and called a medical time out before the start of the next set due to a nagging right wrist injury which has troubled him for much of the season.
The 24-year-old Nishikori is usually a fluid mover and precision ball-striker, but he was making too many unforced errors and his nerves were obvious against the 17-time grand slam winner.
Federer broke again in the third game and then the seventh game of the second set, leading Nishikori a merry dance before wrapping things up.
After his 70th match win of the season, Federer told Sky Sports: "I was expecting a very difficult match and Kei has shown so much how well he can play and in the past.
I'm looking forward to playing Andy. We've played some of the greatest matches - Olympic final and Wimbledon final. It's always a pleasure playing against him and it's nice seeing him back playing well.
"I've know Kei since he was 17 years old and always thought he was a great talent. He's going to have a great future so I'm very pleased with the way I played."
Federer has now won both his group matches and has one more to play against Murray where the head-to-head record is poised at 11 matches apiece.
"I'm looking forward to playing Andy. We've played some of the greatest matches - Olympic final and Wimbledon final. It's always a pleasure playing against him and it's nice seeing him back playing well.
"I'm not sure I'm going to be able to watch him tonight though. I've got kids so it's during a time where I usually put everybody to bed but I hope I can catch a glimpse"
Federer is set to become the oldest player to finish a season in the world's top two and still has a slim chance of becoming the oldest player to end the season as world No 1 if he overhauls Novak Djokovic in the race for top spot.
Nishikori credited Federer with coming up with the right shots at the biggest moments.
"He took all the important points," said the world No 5, who is still in a decent position to make the semi-finals.
"Maybe he didn't play 100 per cent, but all the tough points he played good serve, good points. He didn't give me a chance to come back.
"I didn't play really bad. But still, I wasn't really consistent."
