Djokovic loses to Federer

He has now dealt the world No. 1 his first defeat in 24 matches, producing a stunning 7-5, 6-2 victory to secure his place in the last four of the World Tour Finals.

In the day ” s second Group Stan Smith match, top dogs Djokovic and Federer were pitted against each other, in a thrilling encounter of high-class tennis, with the 34-year-old Swiss beating the Serbian 7-5, 6-2.

The pair were tied at 21 apiece and a win for Djokovic, who is bidding for a fourth straight title, would have taken him ahead for the first time.

Berdych attributed the loss of the match to the loss of that point.

It proved costly as Berdych dropped serve in the next game and Nishikori clinched the set on serve with a pinpoint forehand victor past the wrong-footed Czech.

“Well, he wasn’t as good as in the first set”, Federer said.

Federer won the first set with a break inside 44 minutes before hitting 19 winners to claim the second in just 33 minutes.

He took the next game to love, to leave the defending champion with a mountain to climb.

Nishikori is 1-1 after losing to Djokovic on Sunday, and he still has to face Federer.

Roger Federer ended Novak Djokovic’s winning streak in the ATP finals on Tuesday.

The decisive point for Nishikori came with the score even at 3-3 in the third set. He had three, four shots that he went really aggressive. I was defence all the time. I mean, last shot, I kind of went for it, closed my eyes.

“That was a really big point”. The 34-year-old Swiss, who won the 2011 BNP Paris Masters, said he knew that the match was never going to be easy.

“Actually he doesn’t look really his age – 34 I think”. Djokovic, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the greatest players, failed to keep his cool facing an usual straight sets defeat, and allowed his opponent to have another break point. “He doesn’t look old for me”, he said. “If you play this way against Roger, you have no chance”. By contrast, every one of Djokovic’s uncharacteristic 22 unforced errors in the course of the match were rather uncharitably cheered to the rooftops. “I did play very well, regardless of tactics”.

Federer even managed to strike a blow before a ball was struck on Tuesday, sitting on the court-side chair which already had Djokovic’s towel draped on it.

Chest bump Bob and Mike beat Bolelli/Fognini 6-3 6-2 today!!

They have a third and final group game remaining against Italian partnership Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini before the semis. “The good thing is that it’s a round-robin system so I still have an opportunity to reach the semis”.

“It’s actually a fantastic experience”.