• ATP World Tour Finals

Classy Federer wins bruising encounter with Soderling

Roger Federer was outstanding in his straight-sets victory over Robin Soderling © Getty Images

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Roger Federer remains on course to win the ATP World Tour Finals for a fifth time after dispatching Robin Soderling with a hard-fought 7-6(5) 6-3 victory.

The first set was a tight affair with both players earning breaks of serve, meaning a tiebreak was needed to settle it. Federer, as he so often does in the important moments in matches, raised his game to pinch it 7-5 before working his opponent over in the second set to book a spot in the semi-finals by topping Group B.

Both men looked in the mood from the outset, with bludgeoning groundstrokes following pinpoint serving. However, after straightforward service holds from both players, Federer struck first, forcing Soderling into some uncharacteristic errors before breaking the world No. 4 to grab the early initiative.

The Swiss raced through his next service game to consolidate the break, with his Swedish opponent appearing to wilt under the unrelenting aggression.

Unfortunately for Federer, any designs he had on conquering Soderling with a fast finish soon vanished when the two-time French Open finalist broke back to level at 4-4.

Leading 4-3 but trailing 15-30, Federer dug himself out of a hole with a trademark serve down the middle. Soderling was not done, however, and continued to force the issue with some fierce play from the baseline. Federer could not cope and, after netting a forehand, he sent another shot long to hand Soderling a break back.

The set headed into a tiebreak, with Federer showing nerves of steel to take his game to another level and he ensured he qualified for the last four as group winner by unleashing an outrageous cross-court backhand that Soderling inexplicably left - only to then watch it drop in.

Soderling looked to have secured a crucial break at the start of the second set only for Hawkeye to adjudge his forehand down the line to have crept out. Federer escaped unscathed and, although Soderling battled on, the world No. 2 continued to pressure and never allowed his opponent a breather.

Sensing his opponent was beginning to fade, Federer attacked the Soderling serve in game eight and delivered a fabulous forehand winner to help him make the breakthrough. The 16-time grand slam champion did not let his foot off the gas and served with aplomb to improve his impressive record against Soderling to 15-1.

"To play against Robin is never easy, he's a big hitter and you have to work on your defence," said Federer. "He can be very frustrating, but I took it to Robin and I'm very pleased to have won."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.