Novak Djokovic threw down the gauntlet this afternoon with a 6-1 6-1 thrashing of Kei Nishikori in his ATP Tour Finals opener, and Roger Federer answered with a straight-sets win over Tomas Berdych.
SEE MORE: Near-perfect Djokovic destroys Nishikori in ATP Tour Finals opener
The 17-time Grand Slam champion recovered from an unusually sloppy start to secure a 6-4 6-2 success at the 02 Arena in London, sealing victory with this wonderful serve and volley on match point two.
Watch more brilliant snippets like this with fanatix’s FREE sports video news app.
Federer fell two games behind in the first set after throwing away his opening service game with a pair of double faults, but broke back immediately and then again in game nine to take control of the contest.
Sixth seed Berdych seemed to surrender after losing a couple of tight games at the beginning of the second, perhaps haunted by the memory of his dismal record at the season-ending event.
Although the Czech got on the board twice before six-time champion Federer wrapped up the match in an hour and 11 minutes, he has now lost each of his six opening games at the ATP Tour Finals.
SEE ALSO:
Tammy Abraham goal video: Chelsea’s striker crisis could be answered by England U19s star
Josh Onomah goal video: Highly-rated Tottenham youngster scores silky goal for England Under-19s
Match For Children: Sir Alex Ferguson substitutes David Beckham for son Brooklyn (video)
COMMENTS