Roger Federer Survives Verdasco Scare
23 November 2009
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Roger Federer got his ATP World Tour Final campaign underway last night at the O2 but was made to fight by Fernando Verdasco.
The match didn't start the way the world number one was hoping as he was broke to love in his opening service game.
It's been a great twelve months for Verdasco after helping Spain win the Davis Cup last December and reaching the semi final of the Australian Open in January, beating Murray along the way.
This year is the first time he has competed in the end of year championships and he clearly revelled in the opportunity and showed no sign of nerves.
Verdasco served well during the first set and Federer showed no sign of breaking through the Spaniard's defences.
While the London crowd were happy to see Roger Federer back in the capital their support did little to rally his confidence as the errors began to creep up.
Verdasco has struggled with his form since the U.S. Open but produced some inspired play to take the opening set 6-4.
Federer did little to improve his game in the opening of the second set as he struggled to stay with the powerful play of Verdasco.
But his serve improved and the pair were locked together at 5-5. But the world number one had to wait until game twelve of the second set to get his first break point.
And when that chance came he didn't miss it as he levelled the match at one set a piece.
All of a sudden the game had been turned on it's head as Federer was in complete control as the resistance of Verdasco began to fade.
Federer was hitting with confidence towards the end of the match as he opened up a 4-0 lead in the final set.
Verdasco managed just one game in the final set as Federer wrapped up a less than convincing win
4-6 7-5 6-1.
The Swiss player is looking to join Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras as a five time winner of the tournament but his number one ranking is under threat from Rafael Nadal.
In the other round robin match from Group A Andy Murray saw off Juan Martin Del Potro in another three set thriller.
Group B get their campaigns underway this afternoon as Rafael Nadal is looking for revenge over Robin Soderling this afternoon while Novak Djokovic takes on Nikolay Davydenko in tonight's match.
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