By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Roger Federer got the better of Novak Djokovic in London reeling off eight of the final ten games to qualify for the World Tour Finals semis.
Photo Source: CameraSport
Father timeless Roger Federer beat back the game’s most dominant force in London with a vintage performance on Tuesday evening at the World Tour Finals at O2 Arena.
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Federer’s 7-5, 6-2 victory over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic snaps the Serb’s 23-match winning streak and also brings to an end his indoor winning streak, which had reached 38. More important, the Swiss maestro’s victory means that the six-time World Tour Finals champion has already qualified for this week’s semifinals in London ahead of his third and final round robin match on Thursday.
Djokovic and Federer entered today’s matchup deadlocked at 21 wins apiece with the Serb threatening to claim the upper hand in the rivalry for the very first time, but it was Federer who weathered early turbulence to claim the first set on a late break in the final game.
Federer faced a break point in the first game but brushed it aside and sealed the game with one of his six aces on the evening.
With both players dialed in and serving above 70 percent in the opener, things looked to be headed to a tiebreaker. But nerves appeared to get to Djokovic when he served in the 12th game. Djokovic missed a forehand that gave Federer a set point, but he was able to save it and win the next point to get to game point.
But Federer kept pushing, rifling a forehand that forced a Djokovic error to get to deuce and then taking advantage of a poorly played overhead to earn a second set point.
On that one Federer didn’t miss. He placed a forehand half volley gently on the sideline for a winner to take the set.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the second set a sloppy game from the Swiss let Djokovic reclaim the break, but Federer’s momentum did not stop. He won the final four games, breaking twice and finally closing the door on his second match point when a Djokovic forehand missed just wide.
After a solid start, Djokovic’s level slipped. He finished a minus-10, striking 12 winners against 22 unforced errors while Federer closed with 19 winners and 19 unforced.
Still, it is very much a possibility that today’s affair will end up being an appetizer to a main course final on Sunday in London. Djokovic could qualify with a win over Tomas Berdych on Thursday. The Serb is 15-1 lifetime against the Czech.
Tuesday’s victory improves Federer’s lifetime record to 22-21 vs. Djokovic. He has never trailed in the rivalry since it began with a Federer win in 2006 at Monte-Carlo.
Notes, Numbers, Tweets
Djokovic’s record stands at 79-6 this season. Federer is responsible for three of the Serb’s six losses.
Federer improve to 61-10 on the season with the win.
Federer is 262-63 indoors lifetime. His .806 winning percentage indoors is best all-time.
Djokovic also had his 15-match winning streak at the World Tour Finals snapped. Either Federer or Djokovic has won eight of the last nine titles at this event.