By Chris Oddo | Sunday, November 15, 2015
Roger Federer brushed aside Tomas Berdych in London to move to the top of the standings alongside Novak Djokovic on Day 1 of the World Tour Finals.
Photo Source: TennisTV
Roger Federer picked up a routine 6-4, 6-2 victory over Tomas Berdych in London on Sunday evening, and after he was done he picked up a few awards.
More: Djokovic Routs Nishikori for 23rd Consecutive Win
Six-time champion Federer won his 49th World Tour Final match, cracking 20 winners and grabbing 12 of the final 16 games to improve to 15-6 lifetime against the Czech.
Federer joins Novak Djokovic at the top of the Stan Smith Group after Day 1 action. Earlier Sunday the Serb won his 23rd straight match, taking down Kei Nishikori, 6-1, 6-1.
Though he started slowly and was broken in his first service game, Federer rebounded with a love break in the very next game to get back on the serve. The Swiss would break again for 5-4 in the first set when Berdych tossed in three consecutive errors, and the scoreline would continue to tilt in Federer's favor from that point on.
After opening the second set with a break, Federer waltzed to the finish line through a set that saw him drop just one first serve point and face no break point attempts from Berdych.
When the tennis was done Federer stuck around to receive two trophies from the ATP. Federer’s coach and childhood idol Stefan Edberg stepped onto the court at The O2 Arena to present the Swiss with the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, and ATP President Chris Kermode then presented Federer with the ATPWorldTour.com Fan Favorite award.
"I enjoy getting awards, especially the ones voted on by the fans and my fellow players, who I have had special matches against," said Federer.
Federer, who improves to 60-10 on the season, will face Djokovic in round robin play on Tuesday.
Either Federer or Djokovic has won nine of the last ten World Tour Finals.
Notes, Numbers, Tweets
Federer improved to 261-63 indoors with the victory. He owns 22 indoor titles lifetime. Murray and Djokovic are next on the active indoor title list with 11 each.
Federer must win the title at London to finish as the ATP’s year-end No. 2.
Federer is making his record 14th consecutive World Tour Finals appearance. He is the oldest player to qualify since a 35-year-old Andre Agassi qualified in 2005.