Roger Federer Perfect In London, Beats Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-2 In Group Stage Of 2014 ATP World Tour Finals

Roger Federer of Switzerland won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 against Kei Nishikori of Japan in the continuing action at the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals held at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom.

The Swiss Maestro took his second win in as many games after beating Canada Milos Raonic, 6-1, 7-6 (1) in his opening match in London. The Japanese ace settled for a 1-1 record with an opening day win over Andy Murray (United Kingdom), 6-4, 6-4 last Sunday.

Federer credited his defence on Nishikori’s baseline attacks throughout the match. Federer had seven aces to Nishikori’s lone ace and also took advantage of Nishikori’s five double faults.

“He's shown in the past when he gets the upper hand against any player from the baseline, he's very difficult to beat. Today, for some reason, he couldn't get it done,” Federer said via the tournament’s official website. “Maybe I was playing too well defense and offence, mixing up my serve good enough... It was really important to take advantage of the fact that I was feeling really good, and then maybe he was struggling a little bit today.”

Federer retakes the lead in their head-to-head match-up, 3-2. Nishikori has won 2 of the last three career meetings between the two. In 2014, Federer won over Nishikori, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the semifinals of the Gerry Weber Open in Germany and Nishikori beat Federer, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the ATP World Tour Masters in Miami.

While satisfied with his performance against the World No. 2, Nishikori admitted that Federer totally outplayed him on this night.

“He didn't give me a chance to come back,” Nishikori, who will face Raonic in his last match in the group stage of the ATP World Tour Finals, declared. “I didn't play really bad.”

Federer, who now virtually advances to the semifinal round, will aim to go 3-0 in the group stage with a win over Murray in the last match in his schedule. The Swiss must remain undefeated in this tournament for a chance to unseat Novak Djokovic (Serbia) as No. 1 in the season-ending rankings.