Djokovic downs Federer, Paes-Stepanek go down
7 Nov 2013 5:55 AM IST
Serbian Djokovic, who beat Federer in last year’s final, must win at least two of his Group B matches to have any chance of toppling Rafael Nadal who opened his Group A challenge with an easy victory over David Ferrer earlier in the day.
World number seven Federer, bidding for a seventh title at the year-ender, fired a forehand wide to give Djokovic the opening set after 37 minutes of an eagerly-awaited contest in front of a sell-out crowd at the 02 Arena. The 17-time Grand Slam champion produced some vintage play in the second set but squandered a set point at 5-4 as the crowd willed the 32-year-old to go the distance. They got their wish as Federer dominated the tiebreak against an opponent looking weary under the lights.
Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek went down against Spain’s David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco in their second match of the ATP World Tour Finals here Wednesday. Verdasco and Marrero won the closely contested tie 6-4, 7-6 (5).
World number seven Federer, bidding for a seventh title at the year-ender, fired a forehand wide to give Djokovic the opening set after 37 minutes of an eagerly-awaited contest in front of a sell-out crowd at the 02 Arena. The 17-time Grand Slam champion produced some vintage play in the second set but squandered a set point at 5-4 as the crowd willed the 32-year-old to go the distance. They got their wish as Federer dominated the tiebreak against an opponent looking weary under the lights.
Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek went down against Spain’s David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco in their second match of the ATP World Tour Finals here Wednesday. Verdasco and Marrero won the closely contested tie 6-4, 7-6 (5).
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