Djokovic, bidding for a fourth successive title, earlier eased past Spaniard Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3. Federer advanced by defeating French Open champion Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 6-3. This is the last match of the season. Nadal beat David Ferrer 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4 earlier to finish the group stage unbeaten.
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The Serbian has looked undefeatable this year and even when faced against an opponent such as Rafeal Nadal in the quarter finals, he breezed past him as his game appeared more assured and quite simply stronger, throughout.
“For me it’s an advantage because I guess it gives me a bit of confidence”, said Federer. Djokovic finally closed out the first set 6-3, relying on a few big-serving to take him though.
But the Spaniard, who has 15 Grand Slam titles to his name, is enjoying a resurgence in form and said his defeat to Djokovic in the World Tour Finals semis on Saturday would not dishearten him as he prepares for 2016. However, the world number one obviously had other ideas as he won 89% of his first serves and easily converted 60% of his break points, while not facing any break point against him. He saved two break points at 5-4 before converting his second match point when Murray’s backhand went wide.
Nadal added with a smile: “When somebody’s doing like this, the only thing I can do is congratulate him and just wish him not the best of luck for the next year”.
But, for once in a year where he has been utterly dominant, Djokovic wobbled a little in his final two group matches at the O2 Arena. Djokovic lobbed the ball over Nadal’s head, but he chased it down and whipped a shot between his legs that made it back over the net. Only two players in the top 100 have a winning head-to-head record against Nadal: the dreadlocked Dustin Brown, who has won their two meetings (both on grass), and Nick Kyrgios, who beat Nadal at Wimbledon in their only meeting last summer.
Federer leads the career H2H with Djokovic, 22-21.
Federer is set to contest his 11th final of the year on Sunday and the 17-time grand slam victor was asked about his thoughts of playing into his 40’s.
The meeting is the final that never was from 2014, after Federer withdrew from the showpiece with a back injury just days before the Davis Cup final.
Nadal at least avoided being broken in the opening game of the second set but the pressure was relentless and it was no surprise when Djokovic moved ahead 3-2.
On top of that, there was a bust-up – Wawrinka taking umbrage at what he saw as inappropriate words from Federer’s wife Mirka from the players’ box at a key point in the third set. It was a better performance again for the Swiss who has got better as the tournament has gone on (well, he probably could not have gotten much worse, if you think back to the first match)!
“But I still feel like I want to do more, and I can do more”.
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But Federer says Tuesday’s victory over world number one Djokovic will have no bearing on Sunday’s showdown.
