Kei Nishikori – ATP World Tour Finals Tennis – 17

Djokovic began his bid for a record fourth successive title at the ATP World Tour Finals with a brutal, yet awe-inspiring, 6-1 6-1 hammering that left Nishikori red-faced.

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 (Nov 17). Victory for Djokovic would secure his place in the last four, while a straight sets win would guarantee Federer a semi-finals spot.

The world No 7 had also won two of his previous meetings with Djokovic, including a memorable victory in last year’s US Open semi-finals.

Federer was in cruise control for the rest of the match as he only offered up two more games in the contest as Berdych was left dumbfounded by the Swiss player’s smart use of the drop shot which he used to devastating effect.

A minute of silence was observed at the start of the match in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday.

Remember the Indian Wells final between the two earlier this year?

But the 25-year-old has been unable to build on that success during a frustrating year that reached its lowest ebb with an embarrassing US Open first round exit.

The eighth seed could have gone ahead after a superb lob gave him three break points in the following game, but Murray found his range when it mattered with a series of searing groundstrokes, before an ace eventually saved the game and he went on to claim the first set with a break to love.

Djokovic is even more dominant indoors than elsewhere.

“It’s going to be a really big challenge for me to play Roger”.

The Japanese player, while crediting Djokovic’s “unbelievable tennis”, said he was “very ashamed” at the scoreline which was “half his fault” because of poor serving and he will undoubtedly be motivated to do better against Berdych. I was feeling very comfortable on the court, feeling like I could get most of the balls back. I think my serve was the key as in both sets I lost my first service game.

Berdych had an opportunity to break in the decider with the set locked at 3-3, but the Czech failed to convert his chance during a fierce rally and Nishikori forced him into a forehand error.

The Swiss will take on world number one Djokovic in the second round of Stan Smith Group matches on Tuesday.

“My game’s there, my mind is there, my body is ready and that’s how you want to feel playing Novak in the next match”. Considering the Serbian is in the throes of his finest ever year on the tour, winning 78 matches and losing just five times during 2015, that is quite a statement to make.

Jamie Murray and his partner John Peers also had a good start to their tournament, overcoming Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini 11-9 in a match tiebreak.