ROGER FEDERER’S “MASTERY PERFORMANCES” IN LONDON AT THE ATP TENNIS TOUR FINALS AT THE 02 ARENA BY GLOBAL CHICK

Written by: Global Chick on 19th November 2015

ROGER FEDERER'S "MASTERY PERFORMANCES" IN LONDON AT THE ATP TENNIS TOUR FINALS AT THE 02 ARENA BY GLOBAL CHICK

epa05032948 Switzerland's Roger Federer returns to Japan's Kei Nishikori during a singles group match during the ATP Tour tennis finals tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 19 November 2015. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

What happened, what was happening, what’s going to happen.

I am sure there is some great Latin phrase that covers it, but as I am lacking a Starbucks this morning, I will stick to good old fashioned Anglo-Saxon!

Stan Wawrinka def David Ferrer 7-5 6-2

David Ferrer of Spain serves against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during their round robin game during the ATP World Tour Finals in London, Britain, 18 November 2015. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Or otherwise known as Stan came to play and David left his serve somewhere… again! We knew that Wawrinka needed to do something pretty radical (like win) to salvage his awful performance in the first match.

Ferrer had not played badly against Andy Murray, and boy oh boy was he on fire at the start. He skittered out (as he does) to a 5-2 lead and was serving for the set when a double fault sent him on a racquet busting descent into despair. Ok maybe that was a little melodramatic, but really from that point on Wawrinka woke up and Ferrer struggled to stay on terms.

We have always said that when the Swiss is on form he is big enough to beat anyone and if he plays like that against Murray, it is going to be a Eurostar trip to Ghent for the Brit, forthwith.

Federer def. Nishikori 7-5 4-6 6-4

With Federer all set at the top of the group, it was really interesting to see how this match would unfold. Nishikori had given us our first three-setter and we all wanted to know if he could be relied upon to do the good again.

Anything the World No. 3 could do, Nishikori would do right back, breaking straight back, and then indeed taking the initiative to break Federer just a couple of games later, only for him to be pegged right back. Ultimately the final blow would be Federer’s as he took the first set.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori reacts after losing a point to Switzerland’s Roger Federer during a singles group match during the ATP Tour tennis finals tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 19 November 2015. EPA/ANDY RAIN

When Federer had jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the second, it looked like it was curtains for Nishikori, but he battled right back, leaving Federer standing as he took the lead and the second set.

The momentum was see-sawing more than a fairground attraction, as first Federer pulled ahead once more, only for Nishikori to reel him back with another three games on the trot before the World No. 3 got the job done.

Federer said: “The good thing is that I was through. It relaxes your nerves. The good thing is I’ve been in this position before so I know how to handle it. I always mention the first time it happened to me in 2002, was the first time I ever qualified. I was also qualified after two matches. Agassi had pulled out. Johansson came in. I was totally out of sorts. I was like, Oh, God, there’s so much points on the line, don’t want to lose. Anyway, I ended up playing all right. But mentally I was just spinning.”

Well spin no more, sir as you head into the semi-finals.

Djokovic v Berdych

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during the ATP Tour tennis finals tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 19 November 2015. EPA/ANDY RAIN

One look at the head to head for this pair and you could forgive the brooding Czech for being somewhat terse at times after his losses this year. No doubt at the back of his mind is the veritable 6-2 6-2 drubbing he got last year as Djokovic powered his way to the title.

But in fairness Djokovic was strangely off kilter against Federer and must win this to be through into the semi-finals. Now with a Head-to-Head of 20-2 he must feel at least a teensy bit confident of a win, but Berdych has been responsible for the only three setter so far in the Singles tournament.

There is no doubt the speed (or perhaps lack, thereof) of the court favours Djokovic who might excel in yanking Berdych around. For such a tall unit, he is actually quite nimble at times, but when faced against the rubber flexibility of Djokovic we think this will be a rout.

Topics: 10sballs.com, ATP World Tour Finals, David Ferrer, global chick, Kei Nishikori, London tennis, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Sports, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych

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10sBalls_com says:

November 19, 2015 at 2:52 pm

-@rogerfederer’s “Mastery Performances” In #London At The #ATPTennis Tour Finals At The 02 Arena by Global Chick
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