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Murray a major obstacle in London - Federer

Roger Federer has predicted Andy Murray will be "difficult to beat" at next week's ATP World Tour Finals, but the Swiss observed that world No. 1 Novak Djokovic is "looking weary".

Federer stormed to his 69th career title with victory at the BNP Paribas Masters on Sunday, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final. He now goes into the unofficial fifth grand slam in London with the confidence of back-to-back triumphs following his earlier win in Basel.

The former world No. 1 will be joined by Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Murray, Tomas Berdych, Tsonga, David Ferrer and Mardy Fish when the game's eight best players meet at the O2 Arena on November 20. Federer is the defending champion after his success last year.

Djokovic has undoubtedly been the stand-out player of the season, taking three grand slams, but Murray enjoyed a quite superb October while Federer is undoubtedly the form man going into the London event. The Swiss admits certain players are looking rusty, but he sees no favourite.

"I don't feel like five, six, seven, and eight have no chance," commented Federer. "I definitely think they have a chance to go deep, like it was in the year with Juan Martin del Potro and Nikolay Davydenko making the finals.

"Fish and Djokovic at this point look a little bit weary. But then again, I think with a week's break everything can heal and they are maybe going to be in top shape.

"I do believe if Djokovic is fit, and Murray fit as well, which it seems like he is, they are also going to be difficult to beat.

"And Rafa, regardless how he is going to be, he is always a tough customer. So I think it is going to be a really good World Championships."

ATP Tour Rankings
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 3. Andy Murray (GBR), 4. Roger Federer (SUI), 5. David Ferrer (ESP), 6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA), 7. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 8. Mardy Fish (USA), 9. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB), 10. Nicolas Almagro (ESP)

WTA Tour Rankings
1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE), 3. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 4. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 5. Li Na (CHN), 6. Sam Stosur (AUS), 7. Vera Zvonareva (RUS), 8. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), 9. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 10. Andrea Petkovic (GER)

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