Sports | Daily Update: Federer

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Federer hands Murray a lesson in the ATP World Tour Finals

Roger Federer's destruction of Andy Murray at the ATP World Tour Finals was a consummate lesson in how to take the emotion out of the occasion and dictate the tempo of the match.

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The O2 Arena was bathed in blue light and awash with partisan support for the British number one but even the so-called 'extra man', to borrow from football's lexicon, was not enough to stop the Swiss maestro who looked in complete control throughout. An early break of Murray's serve was to set the tone for the encounter that was seemingly over before it even started.

The slow court was supposed to help the Brit but a worrying amount of unforced errors meant that he was always on the back foot. Even when he did appear to get the better of his illustrious opponent, Federer would respond with a passing shot of such accuracy he could probably return to east London in two years time to compete successfully for Olympic gold in target shooting.

Murray has the safety of having won his opening match against Robin Soderling and got his most difficult group opponent out of the way. Only David Ferrer remains for him to face and a win against the Spaniard would almost certainly see him qualify for the knockout stages unless Robin Soderling records a heavy win over Federer.

It is by no means over for the local favourite but an improvement is needed quickly if he is to retain any hope of claiming this prestigious end of season gong.

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Soderling eyeing rare win over Federer to progress in ATP World Tour Finals

Robin Soderling faces Roger Federer today in the O2 Arena needing to beat the Swiss comprehensively if he is to qualify for the next round of the ATP World Tour Finals.

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Following his triumph at the Paris Masters, Soderling arrived in London as the man in form, but lost his opening game of the tournament in straight sets to Andy Murray.

However, the Swede managed to keep his hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive by battling past David Ferrer to move joint second alongside the Brit, who was crushed by Federer.

"I served very well, especially in the first set. But it was tough. It was a close match, two really tough sets." the 26-year-old Swede said afterwards.

"I'm lucky that I won. I still feel that I have a lot of things that I can improve. Hopefully I can do that in one or two days and play a good match in my next match."

As things stand, Murray superior head-to-head record against Soderling means the Brit would qualify. The Second criteria is percentage of sets won, followed by percentage of games won.

Beating the Swiss will be by no means be an easy task, Federer has looked unbeatable so far, breezing past both Murray and David Ferrer in less than three hours to ensure his place in the next round.

"Andy has beaten me the last few times so I'm surprised how clean the score was today, but I don't think Andy played his best match, that is for sure," Federer said following his latest triumph.

"I'm surprised it went so well, almost a bit shocked to be honest. But obviously I'm happy I'm playing so well."

Soderling may be hoping to face a complacent Federer in their upcoming match, but it is unlikely that arguably the best tennis player of all time will be anything but masterful once more.

Watch Federer v Soderling live streaming free online