Roger Federer Ends Djokovic’s Winning Streak at ATP Finals

Roger Federer beat Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-2 to end the latter’s winning streak at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer shakes hands with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after winning the ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the O2 Arena in London. (Photo: AP)

Roger Federer brought his top game to the O2 Arena on Tuesday, stopping Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals winning streak at 15 by beating the top-seeded Serb 7-5, 6-2.

I wouldn’t have picked it maybe before the tournament, just because of his really good record on the indoors, the year he’s had. But then again, all day I felt good about my chances.

<b>Roger Federer </b>

The win put Federer in the semifinals of the season-ending tournament for the 13th time in 14 appearances.

Djokovic, who has already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking, has not lost at the ATP Finals since 2011, winning the last three elite titles for the top eight players in the world.

But Federer was strong on Tuesday, as he is usually on an indoor hard court.

The six-time champion broke Djokovic in the final game of the first set, and again early in the second. Although Djokovic broke right back, Federer regained the lead a short time later and won the final four games.

Yeah, you have those days as well, when you are not feeling your best, not even close to the best. Credit to Roger for mixing up the pace, giving me always a different ball. He used the slice and spin very wisely. He served very efficiently. I made a lot of unforced errors. Just handed him the win.

<b>Novak Djokovic</b>

On Sunday, Federer beat Tomas Berdych, giving him a 2-0 record this week. He will still play Kei Nishikori on Thursday in the final round-robin match.

Djokovic beat Nishikori in his first match, and will face Berdych on Thursday for a spot in the semifinals.

Djokovic has been the best player in tennis all year, winning three Grand Slam titles and losing the other in the final at the French Open. In beating Federer at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, he won his ninth and 10th major titles.