Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka returned to form with a 58-minute 6-1 6-1 thrashing of Tomas Berdych at the ATP World Tour Finals yesterday.

The world number four has been stuck in a rut since losing in the US Open quarter-finals, winning only one tour match since, but the Swiss looked back to his best as he opened proceedings in Group A at the O2 Arena.

“I didn’t expect to win that easy, for sure,” Wawrinka, who made the semi-finals last year on his tournament debut, told reporters.

“But I was ready to play well.

“Today, the start of the match was really important. That changed it completely.”

He came within a point of winning the opening set 6-0 but was thwarted by a Berdych ace.

His opponent could not turn the tide and Wawrinka wrapped up victory before the hour mark.

“Unfortunately, it was my worst match of the whole season, and I kept it for the start here in the World Tour Finals,” Berdych said.

Other result: Djokovic bt Cilic 6-1 6-1.