Roger Federer: Sky Sports pundit delivers verdict on shock ATP Finals defeat to Nishikori
ROGER FEDERER’s defeat to Kei Nishikori was a ‘shock’ and he looked like a pale shadow of himself during the match.
ATP Finals: Nishikori signs autographs after defeating Federer
That is the verdict of Sky Sports pundit Peter Fleming, who saw Nishikori beat Federer in straight-sets in their opening round robin clash at the ATP Finals - 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
Federer - who was out of sorts - hit 34 unforced errors and he was given a warning by the umpire for smashing a ball into the stands.
The Swiss legend lost for the first time in a round robin match in two sets in London.
Although it is the fourth time he has lost the opening match at the event, in 2007, the same thing happened and he went on to win the title.
But Fleming was left baffled by Federer’s display.
“It was a real shock. It appeared in the first as if Federer had the upper hand,” Fleming said.
“It seemed like a matter of time before Federer would get some balls in play and would run away with it.
“But Nishikori came up with a couple of unbelievable shots.
It was a real shock. It appeared in the first as if Federer had the upper hand
“He even said after the match they were a bit lucky.
“To fend Federer off and then in the tie-breaker, Nishikori played a good solid tie-breaker.
“Federer made a couple of unforced errors and then the errors cascaded.
“The world No 3 really struggled from that point on.
“He looked like a shell of a man in the second set.”
Federer cited nerves as the reason behind his defeat.
He said: “Overall I'm hitting the ball alright, the warm-up was fine.
"Maybe both of us had a bit of nerves too, not knowing how to attack second serves, trying to get the right feel for it.
“We both struggled to get that early."