A razor-sharp Roger Federer got back to winning ways at the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-4 6-3 defeat of Frenchman Richard Gasquet yesterday to keep alive his last-four chances.
Under pressure after losing to favourite Novak Djokovic in his opening Group B match, the six-times former champion looked much more like his old, majestic self.
There were some nerves at the end when Gasquet saved five match points but Federer wrapped up victory and will face Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday with high hopes.
“Richard has an incredible playing style and is a dangerous shot-maker,” Federer, who qualified for the year-ending showdown for the 12th consecutive year, said on court.
“There was pressure today after losing my first one. It was a big win for me and I hope now to keep it up against Juan Martin.”
Despite losing the opening six points of the match, 17-times grand-slam champion Federer quickly found his stride and forged ahead with the first break in the third game when Gasquet misfired a forehand into the net.
Treating the large Swiss contingent in the sell-out crowd to some silky drop shots and his usual array of flowing passes, the 32-year-old world number seven toyed with Gasquet at times yet lost his focus when the Frenchman hit back to level at 4-4.
Gasquet was quickly put back in his place as Federer broke again to lead 5-4 and served out the set.
Gasquet, who also lost his opening match to Del Potro, surrendered his serve at the start of the second set as the high-tempo match threatened to race away from him.
To his credit, the US Open semi-finalist began to assert himself and Federer had to dig himself out of trouble in three successive service games as Gasquet began to unload some ferocious backhands.
Gasquet looked poised to level at 4-4 when a blistering return had Federer scrabbling at the baseline but he could only watch in admiration as a backhand top-spin lob arched over him as yet another break point went begging.
That proved to be his last chance as Federer pounced in the following game, to convert his sixth match point.