Federer brushes aside Berdych to kickstart ATP Tour Finals

Right now, Novak Djokovic is about as good as it gets on a tennis court. And a back and a hip? The pair has agreed to end their three-year collaboration after this tournament, despite reaching the Wimbledon and the US Open finals and winning the Brisbane and Hamburg titles in 2015. The last man to beat him?

That left proceedings to be decided by a match tie-break, with the victor the first to 10 points, or by two clear points thereafter.

Just consider the world No 1’s record this year.

Djokovic received his trophy for notching the ATP’s year-end No. 1 ranking after the match.

He said he had been tested about five times this year. Federer had won their two meetings in 2015 in emphatic fashion and was threatening to produce a similarly convincing victory to begin his tour finals assault.

The second set started horribly for Kei Nishikori.

“Undoubtedly it has been the best season and the best year of my life – I became a father and I got married. I was defending all the time”, Nishikori added. Since switching to a gluten-free and largely dairy-free diet, he has felt stronger and healthier. “What he did on clay was quite impressive and I’m sure he’s going to do well in the final”.

However, he ended up suffering from the same fate as so many other players have against Djokovic this year. “As Jamie said, we have four matches to go, hopefully take care of this and worry about next year when it comes”.

Nishikori was broken again in the first game of the second set, but was able to put up a few resistance in the next, taking Djokovic to deuce.

Asked how much his fitness programme had changed under Phil-Gritsch, Djokovic replied only in generalities.

“It’s a great challenge for Andy and I’m sure he’s excited about it”. “I’m a more complete player physically; technically I’ve improved since 2011, and mentally I’m more stable”.

The Serb’s game has also improved significantly. In the whole year, he lost only to four players and Roger was the only one to defeat him twice. “Reflecting back on those memories of course gives me more confidence, more comfort coming into every single match”. “I’m more aggressive on the returns. I’m not just chipping the ball back”.

Djokovic said he was conscious of Nishikori’s speed, talent and aggression.

“I thought I didn’t play badly – I had great points with groundstrokes”.

“I think we were both really looking forward to the match”.

One key to Djokovic’s consistency is his scheduling. The 8th seed said he hopes to rebound, “He played unbelievable tennis. I’m very ashamed with this score, but I have two more matches”.

“It’s hard to blast through an opponent here in London, which I think helps for me now against Berdych in this case because I can make the match athletic”.

The Serb’s rivals might be alarmed to hear that he thinks his best is yet to come.