• ATP World Tour Finals

Record-breaker Federer eases past Tipsarevic in London

Yet another record tumbled as Roger Federer kicked off the defence of his ATP World Tour Championships title with victory over Janko Tipsarevic in London.

Making his 11th appearance at the season finale, the world No. 2 secured a 6-3 6-1 triumph at the O2 Arena to move ahead of Ivan Lendl with 40 wins at the event.

Federer, who was deposed as world No. 1 this week after he opted to skip the Paris Masters, showed no sign of any injury niggles as he immediately set the tone for the match with a love service game.

Tipsarevic, who withdrew from Paris last week with a virus, instantly found himself under pressure, and despite staving off break point with a big serve, he soon fell a break down after an exquisite backhand from Federer landed on the line.

The Serb began to settle into his rhythm and looked steadier on serve, but he was unable to find a way back as the 17-time grand slam champion wrapped up the opening set with an ace.

Federer was utterly dominant on serve and did not face a single break point. After forcing Tipsarevic to fend off two break points early in the second set, he converted the third to tighten his grip on the match.

With Tipsarevic's resistance fading, the Swiss won a tight fifth game to move a double break ahead before streaking to victory.

David Ferrer was too consistent for Juan Martin Del Potro © PA Photos

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Federer will play David Ferrer on Thursday after the world No. 5 got the better of Juan Martin Del Potro in the evening session.

In a battle between the shortest and the tallest players at the event, it was the 5'9" Spaniard who prevailed 6-3 3-6 6-4 against the towering Argentine, standing at 6'6".

Ferrer, who arrived in London on Monday having won back-to-back titles in Valencia and Paris, showed no signs of fatigue as he scampered his way to an early break en route to taking the opening set.

Del Potro saved four break points to keep his nose in front early in the second set, and after receiving treatment for a blister on his hand, proceeded to turn the set on its head as he claimed a break of his own to force a decider.

Far from looking jaded after his exploits in France, Ferrer responded immediately, and a stunning cross-court forehand secured an early break in the final set. Del Potro clawed himself back to 4-4 with some monster forehands, but the ultra-consistent Ferrer was not to be denied as he broke once again to seal victory in two hours and 16 minutes.

Del Potro will play Tipsarevic on Thursday ahead of a showdown with Federer in the last round-robin stage.

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