Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, London

Round Robin, Day 1: [CR2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. [CR8] Milos Raonic (CAN)

Raonic could not duplicate the feat. Federer had no intention of creating a new trend, losing to Raonic, and he was brutally efficient in the first set.  Raonic was overwhelmed by nerves and it was evident in every aspect of his game, even his reliable weapon, the serve, malfunctioned.

Raonic is convinced that he belongs in the top ten and can play with the “top four”; therefore, he was determined to prove that his recent defeat of Federer was not an anomaly.  However, despite competing better in the second set, it was to no avail. When Raonic had opportunities, he anxiously misfired on his forehand shots, his volleying skills deserted him for much of the match, and his already limited mobility was further compromised.  Federer crushed him in the tiebreak and won the match 6-1, 7-6(0).