By Chris Oddo | Thursday, November 13, 2014
Roger Federer dismantled Andy Murray in every facet of the game on Thursday, notching a 6-0, 6-1 victory that saw the Scot eliminated in London.
Photo Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty
In a week of yawn-inspiring beatdowns at the World Tour Finals, Roger Federer tossed in the piece de resistance on Thursday evening, powering past a flummoxed Andy Murray with a regal and ruthless performance, 6-0, 6-1.
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The 56-minute thrashing secures Federer’s place in the semifinals as Group B’s top seed, while Murray’s defeat allows Kei Nishikori in as the second qualifier.
Though surprisingly one-sided, the packed house at the 02 Arena did experience some drama as it watched Federer hang Murray out to dry so decidedly that the 33-year-old found himself two points away from a rare double-bagel victory with Murray serving at 0-6, 0-5, 15-30.
The crowd let out its biggest applause of the day when Murray’s second serve went for an ace down the T on that point, and the Scot took the next two points to more applause, saving some face in what was his one of his most dismal professional shellackings.
Applause would heighten after Federer closed the match out in the next game, marking the Swiss maestro’s 250th career indoor win and tour-leading 71st of 2014.
Federer improves his lifetime career record to 12-11 over Murray, and keeps alive his push for obtaining the ATP’s year-end No. 1 ranking in the process. He did not drop a point on first serve, and won 18 of 23 forays to the net. Murray, meanwhile, hit seven winners against 21 unforced errors, ending an up and down season on the lowest of notes.
Notes, Numbers, Tweets
Murray finished the season with 59 wins, but went 0-9 vs Federer, Nadal and Djokovic combined.
According to stats guru Chris Skelton, it was just the second time that Murray has only won one game in 632 ATP matches (Djokovic, Miami, 2007).
Federer has reached the semifinals at the ATP World Tour Finals in 12 of 13 career appearances at the event now.
Federer is the oldest player in 35 years to reach the 70-win mark.
Even if he doesn’t finish the season No. 1, Federer will become the oldest player to finish a campaign in the ATP’s top two.