Djokovic proves too strong for Federer

Novak Djokovic ended Roger Federer’s reign as the king of the O2 Arena in a brilliant final at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London last night.

Federer had won the last two titles and was looking to extend his record to seven in the tournament as a whole but he could not capitalise on good starts in both sets and went down 7-6 (8/6) 7-5 in two hours and 14 minutes.

For world number one Djokovic, who saved two set points in the second set, it was the perfect way to end another stellar season.

The Serbian star drew first blood against Federer in a high-quality final.

Federer got off to a flying start but Djokovic hit back and took the opening set 8-6 on a tie-break.

Djokovic was soon on the back foot, though, as Federer piled on the pressure at the start of the second set, and he got his break at the fourth time of asking.

Federer was up against it having never won on the eight previous occasions he had dropped the first set to Djokovic, while it was the first time he had lost the opener in his eight finals at the tournament.

The world number two kept pressing and missed a chance for a double break in the fifth game, which he was almost made to regret as Djokovic, the man who simply will not go away, pushed for a break of his own to level at 4-4.

Federer held on and brought up two set points but he let the chance slip away and this time Djokovic did capitalise, a forehand into the corner too much for the champion.

That drew a full-blooded roar from the Serb, and now the pressure was on Federer to stay in the match. He could not do it, Djokovic driving a backhand passing shot beyond the despairing reach of his opponent on his first match point.