Novak Djokovic continues record run with victory at WTA finals

Swiss maestro Roger Federer will have an early chance to disprove the notion that Novak Djokovic is untouchable when they meet in their second round-robin match at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday.

Djokovic beat Nishikori in his first match, and will face Berdych on Thursday for a spot in the semifinals.

But Federer was strong at the O2 Arena, as he usually is on an indoor hard court.

Nishikori went on to break in the next game and that proved decisive for the eighth seed to get his first win of the competition, having lost his opener to Novak Djokovic.

Both players were locked at a set-all and 3-3 in the decider but as Berdych faded physically Nishikori took full advantage to claim his first round-robin win.

World number one Djokovic extended his latest winning sequence to 23 with a 6-1 6-1 hammering of world number eight Nishikori who was powerless to stop the rampant Serb.

“Credit to Roger for mixing up the pace…”

“I thought I started really well, thought I had the second set but he started playing much better”, Nishikori added.

Kei Nishikori gave his hopes of qualifying for the last four of the World Tour Finals a major boost with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych on Tuesday. “Hopefully I can put it back together”. “That shows me that I didn’t expect this victory”.

The world number one oozed confidence as he talked about his display, saying: ” I think I was at my best.

When asked if the problem was a concern heading into the World Tour Finals and Davis Cup final later this month, Murray – who underwent back surgery in September 2013 – told Sky Sports: “No, I don’t think so”. Why did he play that way? “I’d like to give myself credit for that, quite honestly, yeah”.

“But it was important to focus on Berdych and nothing else and now that the match is over I’m relieved, happy”.

Murray and Peers were in fine form, holding their nerve to win the deciding match tie-break and clinch a 7-6 3-6 11-9 victory.

“That was a really big point”.

Federer, who qualified for the semi-finals, said: “I wouldn’t have picked it maybe before the tournament, just because of his really good record indoors, the year he’s had, especially with the run he’s been on”.

“I’ve been experiencing the peak time right now of my abilities”. Those are the kinds of trophies and milestones that mean the most to me.

“Honestly, playing with a child, 30 seconds later the mother comes, she takes him away from me, she says, “We have to go, we have to leave now, we have to walk for I don’t know how many miles to get to they don’t even know where”. Throughout the match, Nishikori’s serve proved the more reliable and he made fewer unforced errors.