Tennis

Federer reaching his peak

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-25 08:00

Swiss superstar in prime form after brushing aside Murray at the ATP World Tour Finals

LONDON - Roger Federer has warned his rivals at the ATP World Tour Finals that he is coming into a rich vein of form at just the right time for another title charge.

Federer has made a blistering start to the prestigious end-of-year event at London's O2 Arena and looks in the mood to lift the trophy for the fifth time after brushing aside Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday.

That victory, which followed a straight sets demolition of David Ferrer on Sunday, was a clear indication that Federer is determined to end a frustrating year on a high.

Federer has struggled by his own high standards over the last 12 months and surrendered his place on top of the rankings to Rafael Nadal after failing to retain the French Open and Wimbledon titles.

But the four-time Tour Finals champion has always thrived at this time of year, when his rivals are starting to feel the aches and pains of a long season.

"I expect myself to play some of my best tennis at the biggest events where I try to peak. That includes the World Tour Finals," Federer said.

"I've shown a lot of grit at the end of the season throughout my career. This is the ninth time I've qualified and I find the extra gear at the end of the year when the season is long.

"I've also been successful, winning it four times. That's something I have experience doing.

"I saved energy so far. I've only had to play two sets in each match. It's nice at the end of the season.

"I hope, if I make it to the semis, then I'm fresh and really ready to go."

After losing his last two meetings with Murray, there was no doubting Federer's concern about facing the British No 1 on his home turf.

But Murray made a sloppy start and was never allowed to recover by the imperious Federer, who conceded he was shocked by the world No 5's lackluster display.

"I'm surprised I was able to beat Andy here because playing him in London should be really a tough place to play against him," Federer said. "I don't think he played his best match. He came out and made some mistakes.

"I'm surprised, I really am, that I was able to win my service games that comfortably. I heard I dropped eight points on my serve. That's not to the norm against Andy, who is one of the best return players.

"I was just surprised the amount of errors he was making early on in the match.

"He just got off to a bad start with his serve and never really found it."

While Federer looks capable of crushing anyone in his path to the title, Murray must defeat Spanish seventh seed David Ferrer on Thursday to have any chance of making the semifinals.

In the past, Murray might have responded to such a comprehensive defeat by losing his cool on court.

But the 23-year-old admitted he had deliberately kept his emotions in check against Federer in a bid to avoid becoming blinded by anger at key moments.

In hindsight, he may have been better off going down all guns blazing because his passive approach allowed Federer to dictate the tempo from start to finish.

Yet Murray said: "I think it's something where, if I went out there and I smashed the racquet or started shouting, I'd come in and everyone would say to me, 'You were in a bad mood today, mentally you weren't strong enough'.

"In the match against (Robin) Soderling on Sunday, I was very quiet as well. I didn't really show much emotion on the court. I tried to do the same thing against Roger.

"Maybe it's just very different to what you're used to seeing from me. But that's something that I'm trying to work on, to not let my emotions sort of control how I'm playing.

"I just tried to stay calm, tried to find a way to win and it didn't happen. But I didn't feel flat on the court at all."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 11/25/2010 page10)