ATP World Tour Finals: Roger Federer stretched to three sets by Kei Nishikori, tops group
3rd seed Roger Federer faced off against Japanese ace Kei Nishikori in the penultimate round robin match of the Stan Smith group at the ATP World Tour Finals tonight, and was the clear favourite going into the match.
Federer led Nishikori 3-2 in the 5 times the pair had previously met; they last met at the round robin stages of the same tournament last year. The Swiss had then dispatched Nishikori in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
The eighth seed suffered a similar fate at the hands of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in his first round robin match, beaten 1-6, 1-6. Meanwhile, Djokovic himself suffered a straight sets loss to Federer two days ago, losing momentum after what had been a tight first set.
Nishikori himself upset 6th seed Tomas Berdych in a three-setter, and was in fine form during today’s match, displaying some nimble footwork against the former World No. 1. Nishikori matched Federer step-for-step as he hit some strong backhands to give the Swiss a run for his money.
Federer hit a whopping 10 aces during the course of the match, with Nishikori able to muster only 2 in comparison. The pair each committed 4 double faults, with Federer taking every one of the 6 break points he was offered, and saving 7.
His second-service charge, the SABR, also made an appearance, but Nishikori was unfazed by Federer’s trademark weapon (although the Swiss won that point).
It was a match of ups and downs, as Federer appeared to come back after dropping the second set, up a game and a break, when Nishikori came back with a charge of his own as the Swiss found himself a break down instead. He then managed to take a 3-game lead, but a quick Nishikori emulated Federer’s own backhand to nearly decimate his lead, taking the final set to 5-4.
Federer took his final break of the match to take it 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. He tops his group – Stan Smith – and looks to be on course to play Novak Djokovic again in the finals.