Tennis

Federer wins ATP finals opener

Image: Roger Federer (© Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press)
Roger Federer won his record 40th match at the ATP finals.
Share This Story

Updated Nov 6, 2012 6:43 PM ET
     
 

LONDON (AP)

Roger Federer opened his quest for a seventh season-ending tour title looking like the man to beat - again.

General tennis court

NET PLAY

FOXSports.com serves up the latest from the tennis world:

The 17-time Grand Slam champion won his record 40th match at the tournament, defeating Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-1 Tuesday in his opening Group B match.

Federer lost only eight points on his serve under the roof of the O2 Arena while converting four of his nine break points.

''Obviously, come in knowing that I've played so well past years, I expect myself also to be at a solid level,'' said Federer, who also won his seventh Wimbledon title this year and won a silver medal at the London Olympics. ''I've had a good year. It's true, I feel like I'm striking the ball well after today. I hope it's a sign for more to come hopefully.''

Federer's presence alone breathed a bit of life into the tournament for the top eight players in the world.

A day after Andy Murray made his return to Britain for the first time since winning the U.S. Open, the crowd actually got into Tuesday's match, complete with cowbells ringing and constant chanting for Federer.

''I'm very, very honored, really, and very proud in some ways to be so well liked by so many fans around the world, just not in one particular place or one country,'' said Federer, who will next face David Ferrer on Thursday. ''It really seems to be everywhere I go I get a lot of fan support.''

The Swiss star didn't disappoint them, looking like he was right at home right from the start.

He held at love to open the match, and immediately broke Tipsarevic for a 2-0 lead that held the rest of the way. In the second set, Tipsarevic held serve to start, but couldn't win another game as Federer even dazzled the fans with a couple of behind-the-back hits off Tipsarevic serves that had nipped the net.

''The problem was that he got an early break in both sets,'' Tipsarevic said. ''Everybody knows that when Roger starts leading, he is probably the best player in the world when he's a break up early in the set.''

Tipsarevic was playing for the first time since retiring from his quarterfinal match at the Paris Masters last week, saying he was dizzy and fatigued.

''I felt good in the first set. Even though I lost it, I didn't lose the first set because I was feeling bad, whatever. But later on when we played these longer rallies, my serve started to suffer a little bit,'' Tipsarevic said of Tuesday's match against Federer. ''But I'm feeling better day after day after day.''

Federer didn't even play in Paris, instead pulling out to rest up for London.

''I still had some little things I had to work through the last couple of days. Really since yesterday, I feel fine,'' Federer said. ''So obviously it was good for me to start on Tuesday.''

Federer twice won the season-ending tournament when it was in Houston in 2003-04, and then won two more in Shanghai in 2006-07. In London, he is the two-time defending champion.

Tuesday's victory moved him out of tie with Ivan Lendl for the most wins at the tournament with 40.

In the late Group B match, Ferrer beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Against Federer, Ferrer is 0-13.

''I will play with best of history,'' said Ferrer, who won the Paris Masters on Sunday.''I think I will have to play very aggressive all the time (to have a) chance to beat him.''

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

Tennis Videos

Remarkable Moments: Olympics Day 9 Posted: Aug 05, 2012
Bryan Clay talks about Day 9's remarkable moments with Laura Okmin.

London Now: Redemption for Murray Posted: Aug 05, 2012
Andy Murray wins gold over Roger Federer at Wimbledon and more.

London Now: Murray's golden opportunity Posted: Aug 05, 2012
Andy Murray has two shots at Olympic gold and more.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/118804/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_118000/FF_118804_xl.jpg&w=100 249.95 Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey
    adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/172442/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172442_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/173566/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173566_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/173568/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173568_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/177922/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177922_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball..
    adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Atlanta_Hawks/browse/featuredproduct/177923/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177923_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket..
    adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey - Gold http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/177924/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177924_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketbal..
    adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/178326/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178326_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Bas..
    adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Philadelphia_76ers/browse/featuredproduct/178582/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178582_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman..
    adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/178773/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178773_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft