Roger Federer enjoyed a easy 6-1 6-4 victory over David Ferrer to join Andy Murray at the top of Group B at the ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena on Sunday evening.
The four-time winner of the season finale had never lost to the Spaniard in 10 earlier meetings and it became clear from the start that an upset was unlikely.
The 29-year-old Swiss broke the seventh seed twice to open up a 4-0 lead in the opening set, before Ferrer hit back with a break of his own.
But normal service was resumed in the sixth game, in spite of the Spaniard's best efforts as Federer broke his serve again and then served out the set.
The second set was less one sided, with Federer taking five games to secure a break of serve, but the outcome was the same.
Serving for the match at 5-4, the number two seed experienced an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration, handing his rival three break points.
But, as so often with Federer, he at once regained his composure to save all three and then promptly served an ace to wrap up the match.
The four-time winner of the season finale had never lost to the Spaniard in 10 earlier meetings and it became clear from the start that an upset was unlikely.
The 29-year-old Swiss broke the seventh seed twice to open up a 4-0 lead in the opening set, before Ferrer hit back with a break of his own.
But normal service was resumed in the sixth game, in spite of the Spaniard's best efforts as Federer broke his serve again and then served out the set.
The second set was less one sided, with Federer taking five games to secure a break of serve, but the outcome was the same.
Serving for the match at 5-4, the number two seed experienced an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration, handing his rival three break points.
But, as so often with Federer, he at once regained his composure to save all three and then promptly served an ace to wrap up the match.
