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 The 33-year-old Swiss maestro, bidding for a seventh title at the
ATP's year-ending shootout, oozed confidence as he racked up his
second consecutive victory in Group B.
However, Murray's 6-3 7-5 defeat of big-serving Raonic means that
all scenarios are still possible going into Thursday's matches when
group leader Federer faces Murray and winless Raonic takes on Asian
trailblazer Nishikori.
Home favourite Murray, beaten by Nishikori on Sunday, had the added
pressure of knowing that defeat to Raonic would have eliminated him
but the world number six delighted a capacity crowd in the O2 Arena
with a steadfast display.
Should Federer win a set against Murray on Thursday he will
definitely progress to the semi-finals while Murray needs a straight
sets victory to be all but guaranteed a last-four slot.
Nishikori, Asia's first qualifier for the prestige event, would also
be well-placed if he beats Raonic with ease, while Canadian Raonic
needs a straight sets win to stand any chance of reaching the semis.
 Rather than needing calculators and algebra, Federer prefers to let
his racket do the math and he was precise again on Tuesday as he
outclassed U.S. Open runner-up Nishikori.
After six round-robin matches here in London there is yet to be a
three-setter, but Federer's 69-minute masterclass against Nishikori
kept the capacity crowd enthralled.
The 17-times grand slam champion needed an ace to fend off an early
break point but once he broke Nishikori's serve in the fourth game
he was in complete control.
Nishikori, so impressive against Murray on Sunday, showed some
flashes of brilliance but was pressured into mistakes by Federer who
racked up his 70th win of a stellar season that could yet see him
return to world number one.
"I'm happy, you know, after two matches I'm standing here with two
wins. It's very positive. That's about it," the imperious Federer
told reporters.
While a set against Murray would be enough to take the Swiss through
to the semis for the 12th time in 13 appearances at the elite
tournament, he will not be taking it easy.
"If it's all to play for, a bit more nerves maybe," he said, before
Murray's victory which deprived him of a guaranteed semi-final
berth. "At the end of the day, it's how we play every match on tour
'cause if you lose, you're out, so..."
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There was nothing spectacular about Murray's performance against
Raonic, although the Scot was relieved to get the better of a man
who had beaten him three times out of four.
Raonic's erratic forehand buckled in the sixth game of the opening
set, gifting Murray a break which proved decisive.
Murray broke early in the second set but Raonic converted a rare
opportunity to hit back and looked capable of setting up a deciding
set until he wavered at 5-5.
Murray, who played six consecutive weeks to ensure his place in the
draw, claimed victory and will now look forward to a make-or-break
clash with Federer.
"It's always a pleasure to play against Roger. He's one of the
greatest players that's ever played so to get the opportunity to
play him in an atmosphere like this is excellent," Murray said.
"On Sunday, there wasn't much magic. But today I came up with some
good shots in the right moments. Milos didn't serve as well as he
can and that helped."
In doubles play Ivan Dodig (Croatia) and Marcelo Melo (Brazil)
maintained their 100 percent record while French duo Julien
Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin also won.
(Editing by Ed Osmond and Toby Davis)
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