Federer Cruises Past Anderson to Reach Last Four at ATP Finals
LONDON (AFP) - Roger Federer has gained sweet revenge over Kevin Anderson at the ATP Finals but is putting thoughts of his 100th title to the back of his mind after both players reached the last four.
The Swiss broke the giant South African's serve four times in a comprehensive 6-4, 6-3 victory at London's O2 Arena even though Anderson had not faced a single break point in his two earlier round-robin victories.
Second seed Federer suffered a painful loss at the hands of Anderson in the Wimbledon quarter-finals this year after leading by two sets, his only defeat against him in five meetings before Thursday's clash.
The six-time champion started the week with an uncharacteristically ragged display in a straight-sets defeat by Kei Nishikori but has beaten Dominic Thiem and Anderson in straight sets and is looking more like his old self as the tournament progresses.
The victory over fourth-seed Anderson in the Lleyton Hewitt Group takes Federer through to the semi-finals for the 15th time in 16 attempts at the season-ending finale and means he will likely avoid a meeting in the last four against in-form Novak Djokovic.
*****Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates winning his ATP World Tour Finals men's singles tennis match against South Africa's Kevin Anderson at the O2 arena in London, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018.
The Swiss broke the giant South African's serve four times in a comprehensive 6-4, 6-3 victory at London's O2 Arena even though Anderson had not faced a single break point in his two earlier round-robin victories.
Second seed Federer suffered a painful loss at the hands of Anderson in the Wimbledon quarter-finals this year after leading by two sets, his only defeat against him in five meetings before Thursday's clash.
The six-time champion started the week with an uncharacteristically ragged display in a straight-sets defeat by Kei Nishikori but has beaten Dominic Thiem and Anderson in straight sets and is looking more like his old self as the tournament progresses.
The victory over fourth-seed Anderson in the Lleyton Hewitt Group takes Federer through to the semi-finals for the 15th time in 16 attempts at the season-ending finale and means he will likely avoid a meeting in the last four against in-form Novak Djokovic.
*****Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates winning his ATP World Tour Finals men's singles tennis match against South Africa's Kevin Anderson at the O2 arena in London, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018.