Roger Federer breezes past David Ferrer in London
World number two Roger Federer overcame Spain's David Ferrer as he entered the WTA World Tour Finals on Sunday 21 November.
The four-time champion signaled his intent of claiming the title for the first time since 2007 by overcoming Ferrer 6–1 6–4.
"There were many close games, especially in the second set," Federer said after the game, insisting that the victory was no simple feat. "All in all I'm really happy with the way I was able to get out
of the first match here. Starting off with a feisty top 10 player is never easy."
Federer superior in the opener
With victories in all 10 of the pair's encounters, Federer was always the favourite to win the opener of the tournament, and Ferrer provided little resistance to the Swiss' dominance in the first set.
Entering the encounter in full concentration, Federer broke on his first two opportunities after pressuring Ferrer to make several mistakes.
In the fifth game, Federer faltered unexpectedly as he failed to hold his serve after going up 40–0, allowing the Spaniard claim what would prove to be his sole game in the first set.
The world number two broke again immediately after in an evenly fought sixth game that Ferrer lost grip of by hitting a double fault at deuce.
The Spaniard fought to keep the first set alive at 5–1, but Federer's mixed bag of delivery and strong service proved too much as the crowd favourite sealed the opener.
Ferrer more resilient in the second set
In the third game of the second set, Ferrer managed to defend two break points against Federer's aggressive backhands, but by the fifth game the world number seven could not help slicing a forehand wide
after being pressured by his opponent.
Ferrer's service proved stronger in the second set, but the Spaniard failed to break against Federer, who had no problem holding to see out the decider and seal the victory.
"I think I served very bad throughout the match," Ferrer said after the game. "This was the key. With Roger it's impossible to take the chance if you don't serve well. In the first set I played a little
bit nervous, in the second set I improved my game, but Roger served really well when I had a chance or two."
Federer now tops Group B alongside home favourite Andy Murray ahead of the pair's meeting on Tuesday 23 November.
Ferrer will face fourth-ranked Swede Robin Soderling later that day.
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