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 World number one Djokovic extended his latest winning sequence to 23
with a 6-1 6-1 hammering of world number eight Nishikori who was
powerless to stop the rampant Serb.
Far from easing up with the finish of his best ever year a week
away, Djokovic clearly wants to lay down a marker for next year's
assault on the top silverware and showed Nishikori no mercy.
"No question, it felt like the best tennis I played this year," the
28-year-old, aiming for a fourth consecutive title at the O2 Arena,
told reporters.
"I was at my best and it was an incredible performance."
Djokovic and Nishikori had stood heads bowed before their match to
respect a minute's silence in a darkened arena for the victims of
Friday's Paris attacks.
Following his immaculate performance he was presented with a trophy
for the year-end number one ranking he has achieved for the fourth
time in five seasons.
Home fans were given some early excitement when Jamie Murray, older
brother of Andy, marked his debut at the tournament when he and
Australian partner John Peers beat Italian duo Fabio Fognini and
Simone Bolelli in a thriller.
But the atmosphere was subdued later as Djokovic snuffed out any
chance of a shock when he thrashed a helpless Nishikori.
"He played unbelievable tennis. I'm very ashamed with this score,"
second-time qualifier Nishikori, who will hope for a better showing
in his next two round robin matches, said.
Federer will provide Djokovic with a far sterner test when they meet
in the "Stan Smith" Group on Tuesday, if his level for most of a 6-4
6-2 defeat of Berdych was anything to go by.
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The 34-year-old, cheered on by a sizeable army of Swiss fans in
various sorts of red and white attire, made a mess of his opening
service game, falling 0-2 behind after serving two consecutive
double-faults to gift Berdych a break.
But he responded with a break to love and then from 3-4 down in the
opening set he produced a dazzling show reel of his favorite tricks
to win seven games in a row -- throwing in a couple of his trademark
half-volleyed returns for good measure.
"Was one of the worst starts I've had in years," Federer told
reporters. "No first serves, two double-faults, nothing coming from
the baseline. So it was rough.
"But thankfully I was able to pick it up."
Play begins in the Ilie Nastase Group on Monday with Andy Murray up
against David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal taking on French Open champion
Stanislas Wawrinka.
(editing by Justin Palmer)
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