Day 1: Federer v Tsonga Tennis: World Tour Finals

This is day one of the season ending showdown in men's tennis.

Only the top eight up in London for We have travelled vast distances to

be here. Across continents we have risen to every challenge. After the

glory of the Grand Slams... magic of the Masters 1000s...

the triumphs of the day... And now London is calling. Many began, just

a few remain. To be the last man standing... Wouldn't that be

something! Just one question A very good afternoon to you from

the O2. These World Tour finals are a fantastic end-of-season finale.

It is only the top eight players who are here. It is across all

tournaments, including the four Grand Slams and the nine Masters

tournaments. The eight players are split into two round-robin groups.

The winners and runners up from those round-robin groups go through

to the semi-final and a final. All will become clear. They could be

some mathematics, we will see. Tim Henman is with me in the studio.

You were part of this twice. What does it feel like from the

perspective of a player? It is a fantastic achievement and fantastic

reflection on your performance of that given here. There are no two

ways of qualifying, no while cars - - wild cards. It is what he set out

for at the beginning of the year. Behind us is a doubles match. The

doubles guys have just finished. Max Mirnyi and Max Napster have

finished. -- Daniel Nestor have finished. They beat the Indian pair.

Next up is Roger Federer against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. They're a two

of the most exciting players. Roger has to be favoured to win this one,

doesn't he? It is an uncomfortable match for him. Some there is so

powerful and so athletic. A lot of the time you feel that Roger can

dictate the outcome. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has showed on a couple of

occasions that he is dangerous. Reflecting on the match at

Wimbledon, he was able to come out on top. Roger is down to at No.

Four in the world at the moment. He is five-times champion. He is in

Group B at the moment. This is the group the matches come from today.

Tomorrow it is Murray at 2pm. The Top Frenchman is world No. 6. Later

on it is Nadal up against Fish. They're in the same group.

Congratulations to Mardy Fish. It is his first time at the World Tour

is his first time at the World Tour finals. It is a great achievement.

He has come in towards the latter end of his career. He is 30 years

of age. It is a great reflection of how consistent he has played. He

had a lot of success on a hard court in America. He has had a few

injuries but hopefully he has had a chance to recover. Later on this

week we will be watching the Dom against Federer. This is the other

group. -- Nadal. Andy Murray has just gone up to world No. 3. I must

tell you that Murray, the only winning record he has against any

of those players, is against Ferrer. We will kick it off tomorrow

afternoon with Murray against Ferrer. Roger Federer has had so

many career years. He has had so many years where he has lit up the

World of Tennis. This year people are talking about him being average

- somehow mediocre. I do not think he sees it that way. Not at all. He

set the bar so high. He has lost a couple of those matches where he

has won them in the past. At Wimbledon he was up two sets to

left. Against never Djokovic he had two match points in of this set. He

has had a few tough losses. -- the 5th set. A lot of people would take

his year. World ranking number four. He has spent so young -- so long in

the top two. He comes in as five- times champion with something to

It has been a tough year. I have had some brutal losses. I felt my

game was good enough to do some serious damage and to win some of

the biggest titles. Maybe I did not win momentum. I was never allowed

to do that. I made mistakes. Novak Djokovic played an amazing season.

Considering, I think I did really well. Maybe it does not reflect

sometimes. He does not have a lot to prove. Roger does not play for

records. He did not know he won his eight and Rick's career match. --

800th. With a player like Roger, it is inevitable you're going to be

breaking records along the way. He has had 59 victories the Shia and

no losses. People are trying to question his levels. -- this year.

Golfers always say, when they could have scored better, which is just

about every single time, as you well know. They always say when

they come off the course, they could have been two or three shots

lower. Federer has had one up of those years. He left a few matches

out there. He has done such a good job of winning those in the big

matches, in the big tournaments. This year, the semi-finals of the

US opens to have two match points on his serve when Djokovic hit that

incredible return. I think his performance in the last couple of

weeks, indoors he won in Basel, he won the Masters Open in Paris. He

will be ready to go. He knows what he is facing in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

He can force the match. He can almost blow you off the court and

there is nothing you can do. This is his year. He has risen to No. 6

in the world, based on his It has been a very good year.

Indoors, dust recently, he has won. You are not the new boy it anymore,

so you are not so nervous question I am really happy to be here.

nervous? It was difficult to qualify this year. I have done a

great job since the beginning of the year. I'm happy to play here. I

will enjoy this moment for sure. Getting into the top eight, it is

very difficult. What does it mean to you? It is really good. When you

finish in the top eight, it is because you made a lot of

sacrifices. You practise a lot and you play well. We are looking

forward to seeing that celebration dance this week. Why did you start

doing that? I started doing that because come at the first time I

entered into the top 100, I plays. I've played against Lleyton Hewitt

to enter the world top 100. I won this match. At the end of this

match, I decided to do this, I do not know why. The English crowd

loves it. I thought, OK, the English crowd loves it, everyone

will love it. You have a tough group. It will always be difficult.

You have beaten Federer and Nadal this year. You must think you can

beat them again. I have already beaten them this year. I expect to

win some matches, of course. He has an absolutely charming smile and

man about him. To actually play against him, what is it like to

feel the force of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga coming at you? It is an

intimidating force. He is so athletic come up so physical. Some

of the technical aspects of his game, you would not say they are so

sound. Because he is athletic, he can get away with it. He can

generate enough power on the court. He has been likened to Muhammad Ali,

certainly in terms of physical stature of, he has it. The

introductions are about to be made at the O2. He does not like to be

too structured about the way he plays well stuck he likes to let it

blow and see what comes out of his racket. -- he plays. He can blow

Federer off the court. Unlikely, but he is capable. This apposite is

right up his street. -- atmosphere. Two groups of four. This is the

first singles match at the Buckley's ATP World Tour finals. It

is a superb 17th 1500 seat arena for these players, as they make

their way through to the curtains, where they will be held before

being introduced to the crowd. It is beautifully staged we are glad

it is in England's capital city. You can see from the smiles on the

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players' faces, how much they Looking typically overwrought,

Roger Federer. The Panther takes to the court at the O2. I swear he'd

just strolls a little bit slower, year by year. He has done it all

the 4th. Earlier on this week, he was practising with Tim Henman, who

is with me in the studio boss dub if Roger can deal with my forehand,

he has nothing to worry about with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. You saw both

players walking out. They both look incredibly relaxed. It is a

different format with the round robin. The person who loses can

still go through to the semi-finals. If you win, it sets you are nicely.

A lot to played for this afternoon. -- sets you are nicely. We are

kicking off with Federer against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. You have 25

seconds between the points. If you want to make a challenge, tried to

it in a timely manner. Any Questions? Heads is called. Tails.

There is just confirmation that the coin used does have a heads and a

tails. Everyone is on show here. That is good work. I like the

attitude of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga about not having a coach, not being

in a structure. He likes to play freely and have a flow. What should

his game plan B? He has to have a hot streak. We see that flare in

all sports. When they are on, they are difficult to beat. If he stuck

struggling with his backhand and does not make enough first serves,

he will struggle. They were playing in Paris at the last of the Masters

series event of the year just seven days ago. Federer had never won

this event before. He got the victory. He is in absolutely

cracking form. It had been very different earlier this year, at

Wimbledon. Do you remember this I felt I was playing well. I felt

like I got a bit of a lucky break. He clipped the line and ended up

turning the whole match around. From that moment, I was just

playing so well. I was two sets down. Even me, I was not sure to

come back. I did it and it was just Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is looking to

turn this into a massive match. No one is going to beat him in a

muscle match. That is it! He causes the upset of the tournament.

Wilfried Tsonga was unplayable almost. Every time I had a slight

chance, he would shut the door on me. It was a special feeling for me

to beat Roger on Centre Court. It was really nice. I am sure it was

really nice. He would go on to lose to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.

A head-to-head between Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, it is 4-2 to

Federer. They played in Rome earlier this year. There is the

Wimbledon victory. It is the first time that Federer had lost from two

sets up and lost. In Montreal, Jo- Wilfried Tsonga or won. In the US

Open, in the quarter-final, Federer won. There was the victory in Paris

just a week ago, so it is relevant. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga attacked second

serves, served big and used all his athleticism but it was not enough.

We are going to the commentary box now. When you look at the context

of this match, it is a different scenario. It is not the first round

match where, if you lose, you go home. Both players will be keen to

stamp their authority. Federer will be looking to get off to a fast

start. If Jo-Wilfried Tsonga can dominate play, using his big serve

and big forehand, it will be fascinating to see how things

unfold. When you practised with Federer, earlier this week, was it

on this court? They put down two great practice courts at the

Queen's Club, which is a bit more convenient for the players to get

to from the hotel. They have the same surface and a couple more

courts. What was the one at Queen's like? I asked Roger about the

comparison between here and Paris, which was the same surface. It was

dictated by how many coats of paint that put on top of it. The more

paint, the slower it becomes because it is abrasive. This was

quicker and livelier. It took the spin a bit more. I think he would

like that. He likes the ball coming on to him. He does not have to

worry. It will also hope -- help Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The surface

suits all the players, pretty much equally. David for rare is a slow

court player but it gives everybody a fair go. -- David Ferrer. If

you're trying to go to the aid to, there are some tickets available.

The managing director of the tournament says that there are

tickets available for tomorrow afternoon if you would like to see

Andy Marriott opening up his campaign. That it is Roger's wife

and, presumably, the two girls. There is Thierry Henry next to her.

I wonder if that might be something to do with the sponsor or perhaps

they are great friends. I remember Tiger Woods being in his camp at

the US Open. It is a great seat to watch from. I just wish he would

join Robin van Persie up front again at the Emirates. It was a

good result against Norwich yesterday. Just to put this event

into context in world tennis, they rub the four Grand Slam

championships, Australian Open, French Open, US Open and French

Open. They are the four majors. The event that sits just beneath them

but utterly unique in its format is the ATP World Tour finals. It is

split into two groups of four and they play in a round-robin format.

The winners of the group and the runner up after all matches are

played goes through to the semi- finals and possibly a final next

Friday, Saturday, Sunday. So, it is the sort of format to play when you

are a kid. Everyone plays everyone. When you are a kid, you do not get

$1.6 million if you go undefeated. A first singles match at the O2

this year. The defending champion, at the five time defending champion,

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the five-time champion here, is The coach of Federer now, for many

that of Tim Henman. -- formerly. UMPIRE: Game, Federer! He also used

to coach Pete Sampras as well. He knows a bit about playing on a

surface like this. He was a five- time champion of this season ending

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Match of the week Nadal against The mother and father of Jo-

Wilfried Tsonga are here. It is His father moved to France to play

professional handball from central Africa. He was the finest and will

His second cousin is Charles N'Zogbia. He comes from an athletic

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Tsonga doing well to stay in this rally, Federer will be disappointed

to miss, such a routine backhand volley. 30-30 just a half chance

It is a bit defensive on that backhand side. Probably feels he

could have made a slightly more aggressive play at that ball but

trying to keep length and the ball floated long. No problems at all.

The bounce smash despatched on Federer holds his sever. -- serve.

It is very important over the years, as you gain experience, and you

learn how to manage your game, and your body, and everything else,

when you are a professional sports man, it was important to take time

off. For Federer it was after the disappointment of losing to

Mbanjock. When he went down to Playday advice cup, which was a

great effort, then took that time off to be with the family, I guess

do some training as well. Then he came back fresh, and he won basil

and France. You think the player is going to have a break at the end of

the year. Sometimes that isn't the reality of your playing in the

world tour final, your might have the Davis Cup. Your window of

opportunity to have a complete break is very small. The Australian

Open seems to come round so quickly, I think Roger rightly felt after

the US Open, that was the time where he could Ruth Kelly have a

break, get away from the game and have an opportunity to put some

good hard yards in on the practice court and in the gym. You saw the

way he came back in those two tournaments. He looked fresh, eager,

and it was reflected in his results. He played fantastic tennis to win

both tournaments. Now he fancies his chances of defending his title

here. First of the singles matches at the world tour final, that is,

what you are watching. Glad to have you with us. 17,500 people, all the

way up into the top tier and into the roof here, enjoying this

singles match. The French number one, world number six. Severing at

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Four straight points for Federer Four points now. And Federer has

the bit between his teeth. Something I have noticed in the

last two tournaments is how Federer is trying to change the pace of the

ball. He is playing the slow slice, sometimes he is giving the ball

more margin for error to try and get the ball high on Tsonga's

backhand. Then he stets in on the forehand and gets a bigger change

Federer having missed that backhand volley in the previous game that

Tim Henman was pointing out and battened down the hatches. He has

this mini momentum now. Striking the ball cleanly, Tsonga will need

That is the first break of serve. When someone serves as well as

Federer does, you can't donate that break of serve early on. So hard to

That is a lot of work on that forehand. Massive top spin. Just

dipped down into the corner. No challenge. Hawk-Eye in operation

here. Yeah, ball dipping down at . Four points in a row has suddenly

become eight points in a row and Tsonga will be keen to stop the rot.

Good. Very vaing for Federer to lose this, because really, play

that volley and he is never going to miss it. The only way he could

lose is if it was bad judgment. Described earlier on this week by

Mike Dixon in the Mail as perhaps sport's most admired individual

athlete. I was thinking who else could be up there really? I mean

after the demise of Tiger Woods and the difficulties of his personal

life and behaviour, it is hard to think of a stronger brand, really.

He has represented the game beautifully over the years as we

look at his opponent today, Jo- Wilfried Tsonga, who is also a very

popular man. He certainly has. He has represented our spot so well,

but he is such a good example for the younger generation coming up,

and he is so accommodating, access to believe the media and I think

grow back 15 years and a lot of the players didn't make themselves

necessarily so available, and the young players coming up thought

that was the right way to handle the media, but I think Federer and

Nadal have recognised their responsibility to the game, and

they have done such a good job in continuing to grow the sport.

people are comfortable dealing with the media and the PR aspects of the

game and some some are not so comfort.. I don't think Andy Murray

is comfortable with the media and the obligations and it shouldn't

take away from what he does. A bit of a spat this week, perhaps,

encouraged by the media between Roger and Andy Murray, and we will

go into that at the next change of end, because it is a a little bit

spicy. Molehills and mountains. Handbags. We could make it bigger

APPLAUSE This court surface that Tim Henman was describing and the

pace of it, it feels a bit slower than last year, at the moment. The

type of rallys that are being Just watching the way the ball

bounces and the spins. It looks like the court is grabbing the ball

and it is not skidding through the court. It is bouncing up high, so,

it will probably get a bit quirk as the qeebg goes -- week gons but it

seems to favour the baseline. the week goes on but it seems to

Believe that is, yes ears family In is the last game with the old

tennis balls so if they are fluffed up and go through the air slower,

this would be the game when they are at their slowest. In other

words, the serve not quite as Really underrated second serve,

Federer instead of going for the Kirk slides the one into the body.

Tsonga couldn't get out of the way. Got tucked up and got the mistake.

Not enough made of the variation necessary at all levels of the game.

Keep your opponent thinking. You need to be able to control where

you put the ball in the service box. A consumate service game. Previous

serve from Federer was just 116mph. That was he flattened out,

125mphment he keeps you guessing as . And that serve was just 88mph,

but with a lot of kick and top spin. You wouldn't call it Masterclass,

it is a controlled and confident performance to open up the finals.

Just to return to what we were talking about, Tim Henman and I,

about this Federer versus Andy Murray. It's a made for media thing.

It is not that big a deal. Andy Murray won in superb fashion, three

tournaments in Asia, culminating in the Shanghai master, a big event.

He did very well. Federer's response to that, when asked about

it, was "Well, Novak wasn't there. And Nadal lost early, and I wasn't

there." So it appeared he was diminishing Andy Murray's efforts

over there, and Andy in reply to that, just said "Well, I can only

beat who is in front of me," and he is spot on. But there is a little

history of some verbal jibes,. is right. And you know, I think

they are both trying to state their points, and you know, perhaps

wasn't PROBLEM WITH SOUND

It makes interesting interesting listening. Reading. Copy. It will

make an interesting semifinal if they get there or final. Andy

Murray has a winning record over Federer. But of course the big one

he has lost. The Slam final t three of them he has lost. He has to get

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past the three guys. Federer is one The set has been scrappy for the

most part from Tsonga. The last time they played in this city was

in SW19 in a quarterfinal and Federer won the first two set

So it's the lead for Federer who has been in control of his game.

Nothing majorly spectacular. Tsonga doesn't even look solid. He is

going to have to tighten this up and I suspect he will. 6-2 in the

first set. This match is the first singles of this particular

tournament. The ATP World Tour Finals. The top eight in the world

are here, two groups, somewhat unimaginatively called Group A and

B this is from Group B it contains the world number two, four, six and

eight. Nadal versus Fish is later on, you can hear that on BBC Radio

5 Live sports extra. But in is the the top two will place at the top

of each group and it was three or four, five or six, seven or eight.

That is how they get split up. Group A is what Andy Murray is in.

It is headed by the man who has won three slams this year Novak

Djokovic, he is the world number one by far. So it is 1, 3, 5 and 7.

And the only man in that group that Andy Murray has a winning record

against is the man he opens up against at 2.00 tomorrow starve r

afternoon. That is David Ferrer. He lost to Berdych did Murray last

week. He has a losing record against Novak Djokovic but he has

beaten him before. But there is no such thing as an easy match at this

event. Who did you play in your groups when you were in the event?

Well, the first time I qualified was in Hanover in Germany and I

played Rios. I won that then I beat the person who won the tournament.

It show jous to get through your group and if you can do that it is

all to play for. Two players going through from each group. The winner

of one group plays the run er up of the other and vice versa in the

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semifinals. It is a week away. APPLAUSE. UMPIRE: First game,

second set. Really the perfect start for Federer in the second set,

getting off to an easy hold, and breaking serve at the end of the

first set gives him the momentum again, and very unusual for Tsonga

to lose his serve to love twice in one set. It really does need to

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knuckle down now, and get an early Can almost sense by the crowd's

reaction, they want Tsonga to get involved in this match, otherwise

The crowd would love to see this second set a little tighter than

Really feel wheng Tsonga gets a look at the Federer second serve he

has to be more aggressive. The tharty -- charity do last fight

tat Savoy hotel in London, give it your max, a charity for

disadvantaged children. Taking tennis round your world, givityour

max. Org. Baseline ball from Tsonga. That was a loose one! Such a good

first serve into the body to set up the what Federer wanted, very

surprising he missed that shot at a That is another loose one. Rushed

on the forehand side. Tsonga is in the match. That will get it going.

Make him feel like he is a part of Had a fantastic junior career

Tsonga. Even this country thinks of him having arrived in 2007. He won

a challenger, and he was playing at Queens Club as well. Doing really

really well. Beat Lleyton Hewitt and it was like that was the time

of his arrival. He got so badly injured so many times he never

really got anything going, but he was certainly a star junior player,

and the cameras moving round the crowd here, as I say if you want to

come along tomorrow to be part of this show, you can. You can come

and see muver play as he opens his campaign in the season ending

championships against David Ferrer. Just a few hundred tickets

remaining. 17 500 in tote in the Now important first two points or

so in this game for Tsonga. He has just broken serve. He would like to

cement that break by holding here. Keep his nose in front. 2-1 second

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A shocking run of points from Roger Federer. The errors really coming

off the rackets. Tsonga is not really doing much, keeping the ball

We talked about roufpbs points that Federer had in the first set,

suddenly he was 30-0 up on his serve in the third game and Tsonga

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has won eight points in a row. Now The tennis Blair's call this the

Masters. They have always called it the Masters. -- tennis players. It

is a season ending for Nari. It is the eight players who have had the

best year. Over the years, some names really stand out. Nastase Was

phenomenal in the 70s. Pete Sampras was the man in the 90s. Ivan Lendl

would be tremendous record and five titles. You can see Ivan Lendl at

the Royal Albert Hall in about two weeks. Wednesday week. You can also

see Tim Henman in action against Greg Rusedski. I'm looking forward

to that. That is going to be great! This is the trophy they are playing

for. It really does mean something. If you are not familiar with this

event, it is quite a spectacular thing to have in London. We have

Queen's and Wimbledon in the summer and this one as well. It is so mild,

it does not feel like winter. It is nice, isn't it? It is good for golf.

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The last thing Tsonga wants to do is to play pretty tennis against

Federer. He wants to take the tennis out of the ball and really

intimidate Federer if he can. Federer said Tsonga can win matches

by force and I know what he means. He is really looking to take the

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That was a complete miss time, It is amazing to think after 40

minutes, we're a set and a half into this match. It has not been

the longest rallies despite the court surface been so slow. --

It is not possible to ports on to the court every time and place

This was a lovely, rolled backhand. You thought this was the end of the

rallies. Tsonga picked up a half volley on the backhand himself.

UMPIRE: Let, first service. A bit Federer has been a bit flat over

That was a first class return of the big picking serve. A lot of

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Look at this! That was fast racket He is a very watchable, isn't he?

In the first set, Federer was able to get the double break. Tsonga

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will be keen to break the Federer It is the continual bludgeoning

from Tsonga and the fact that Federer does not know when it is

coming. He is not giving Federer any rhythm at all. He deserves

great credit for taking some of the spirit - sapping the spirit of

And that will do it will start a second break. -- that will do it.

Dad and mum love it. A second break of serve. That should be it for the

set. We were worried about Tsonga in the first set but not now. Good

on him. It looks as though we will have a third set. It is the top

eight only in this spectacular format. Two round-robin groups.

About �70,000 for being here. If you win a match, you get 120,000

more for each match you win. If you win the semi-final you pick up

$380,000. If you win the final, it is 770. If you win all five matches,

you walk away with 1.6 3 million. That is about a million quid and

some shrapnel, which is very nice. As for computer points, and

undefeated champion would take 1500 points. With Wimbledon you get 2000

for women -- winning, and one of the Grand Slams was up just beneath

the Grand Slams in terms of importance. The money is not that

vital to any of these players. Bonuses and the rest of it. If you

are here, you are a pretty wealthy young man. It is a lot about honour

amongst the players, this event. A real feather in anyone's cap to

come to regroup with these sorts of A drop volley. Good hands at the

net for some The. Federer elected That shot has only been around

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about 20 years. So many players UMPIRE: New balls, please. He did

look proud of his son. Not like your dad was that he would sit

there barely stoic. There was not much expression. Didier is a bit

different. Those two it sets were the mirror image of each other.

Tsonga was donated a break. Suddenly a couple of loose

forehands and Tsonga was into the match. He ran away with the second

set. Amazingly after 51 minutes we are about to start the third and

deciding set. How important that will be-both players. Whoever grabs

momentum first -- first, is likely to win. Just look at this arena! It

is fabulous, isn't it? I saw Prince in here. They stage so many events.

It has become the most successful entertainment arena in the world.

They were not able to stage the Michael Jackson concerts,

tragically. They know what they're doing with sports events, as well

as music. It has worked very smoothly. The serve of Tsonga. This

is the first thing that Federer needs to address. Tsonga is only

making 44% of first serves. His percentage went up in the second

set. Federer will be looking to take advantage of the second serves

he gets. First and foremost, serving this first game, he will be

very pleased to get his nose in There have been four break-point

opportunities in the match and all He will be keen to try to create

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some of those opportunities early Tim and I was talking about the

record of Roger Federer and how, in Paris, at the Masters, which he won

weaker go against this very opponent, he had won his 8th

hundred so -- 800th match on the McEnroe had 175 wins, Ifan Lendl --

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Ivan Lendl 195. Heading the list is It is almost like there is a flight

in the room when the ball goes up like that. -- a fly. It was not

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Federer is challenging that call. The ball was called in. That is the

first challenge this match, I think. I think that was in hope rather

That was 138 miles an hour on the It is a strange shot to be playing

really. He is in the game. It is a game point from Tsonga. Why does he

not block that back? I think he is trying to be aggressive and looked

to get on the offences -- offensive You do not see that very often from

Federer Fulstow up he is not seeing the ball that well today.

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He is moving well, isn't he? He is That was a big mess. -- mess.

Federer is not that involved. It is It is amazing how he can turn

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The next time you go and play tennis, try this one. It is such a

hard ball. To get that level of power takes technique, as well as

He had the court open, Federer pulls stuck it was on the forehand

side of Tsonga. -- Federer. would still back Federer to make

this shot. The big forehand dictated the reason why Federer

This is a fascinating match. Singles match number one at the

season ending Championships. Just the top eight divided into two

We are going to see some great It is fascinating. Federer is

having to think his way through the match. He is moving the ball with

the serve out wide on the deuce court. He is trying to get his

first serve in. It is a strategic match. It is good to see both

players playing well at the same time. In the first set, Federer

completely dominated. In the second set, Tsonga ran through it. Now you

have the element of chess. People working out how to outmanoeuvre her

opponent. It is difficult to hit through the opponent. As you saw on

the last first serve from Federer, only 97 miles an hour but looking

to set up this forehand with the second shot. He knows if he says

that one, it will not get belter straight away. People step up and

tried to back the second serve. If you roller first one in, an

opponent can be left standing at the back. -- role the first one.

All sorts of things going on in this match. It is an interesting

I thought that was four poofs and a piano! But it wasn't. OK. No breaks

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of serve. This third set, 2-1 to In game is a momentum maintainer

for Tsonga. Following all the rules. Are you emplying I wasn't holding

serve easily? It might have been a bit more of a struggle Fair

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Action from Group B at the world tour finals here, just eight men

here, later on, the other two players in this four-man group will

play, that is Nadal versus Mardy Nadal-Federer as a rivalry,. They

haven't played that much this year, and to see them repeat of last

year's final, obviously in the round-robin stage, it will be

fascinating to watch. It will be interesting to see how Nadal is

playing, and he has had a bit of a break from the game. Didn't play in

Paris last week. He will be keen to put on a good show here and he has

the Davis Cup final to finish off his year. We know how that was with

Novak Djokovic, when he took Serbia today advice Cup Final. -- to the

Federer arrived on Wednesday morning, to play on Friday morning.

It is a long way to go. Having flown from New York to Dubai, then

Sydney. I think that emphasises how much the competition means to him.

Perhaps how much he wants to play in the Olympics next year. You have

to have played a couple of Davis Cup matches to be in the Olympic,

which will be at the All England Club next summer, so tennis will

feature heavily next year. Back in the games as an exhibition sport in

Los Angeles in 84. A full medal sport, they were giving them away

in last night ta. Tim Henman got one, a silver! How Mull much petrol

You and neeld Broad. Atlanta. is right. Good. Especially with

Neil. LAUGHTER

Regards if you are watching this . He tried to run round the second

serve but got tangled up. He was able to return deep and get the

unforced error from Tsonga. He is Another first serve missed from

See the difference on the second serve when he is aggressive as he

was the 15-0 point. That was a bit of a floater down the middle,

giving Tsonga all the time in the Almost a table tennis backhand

wasn't it. Just smothering the top spin and taking it early. Great

Where does Tsonga go on the first serve? Roger got there. I think

that is a remnant from a previous event in here. One of those

explosions and then bits of ribbon and paper come down. Where does he

Henry cheering against his country man here. I don't know how that

will go down. He is in the Federer camp. It is a break point after

that beautifully produced backhand and the passing shot as well. Here

Again I think Federer has to be disappointed with the return. He is

not keeping the ball away from the middle of the court. It is giving

Tsonga the chance to dictate with his forehand, and Tsonga yet to

make a first serve in this game. Federer will feel he has to take

Again that emphasises the point of why you have to take the chances on

the second serve, when he makes his first serve at 137mph, it will be

UMPIRE: Game Tsonga. Break point saved. You talk about how Federer

has been playing well. Tsonga has been playing a few games as well.

He won in mets. And Vienna. Both indoors and a final at Paris as

well. So he comes in with a lot of match wins. He will be eyeing this

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game up now. Federer having missed UMPIRE: Game Federer. There is a

feeling of cat-and-mouse continuing between these players. First set

was all Federer. Tsonga not there. Second set took a little longer at

half an hour. That was all Tsonga. 6-2. So mirror image, first two

sets. And this one very different. They have both knuckled down.

Federer had a break point. In Tsonga's previous service game and

didn't do much with the second serve return. It is narrow margins

in this match. What is going to happen next? Well, again, Federer

will look to get involved in a Tsonga service game, and this

probably is a bit of the advantage of serving first in a set. He is

always in the lead Federer, has done a good job on his service

games. Up 4-3. The pressure is back on Tsonga. But you know, it could

very well go to a third set tie- break. And in the context of this

tournament, the round-robin even, what an important tie-break that

would be. It would. It is round- robin play here, just eight player,

two groups of four. When it comes down to picking the two best

players from the group at the end of the result, comes down to the

amount of wins you have got. If you won three you will go through, be

if you are tied on two wins or one win it gets a bit math mat tal. Sue

is here tomorrow and she can bring her calculator. She the work it out.

It is possible to win two matches and mot go through. It is possible

the one one match and still go through.? It is impossible to not

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go through if you have won all your Fifth ace of the match. Quickly up

When you are serving at 3-3 -- 3-4 in the deciding set, a lot of cheap

points, pressure straight back on Both players know that any slip now,

a couple of missed balls here or there and the match could be over

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 50 seconds

in double quick time. It is quite UMPIRE: Game Federer. APPLAUSE.

Disappointing game as far as Tsonga fans are concerned. First point was

absolutely crucial, Tsonga had a chance to at least make Federer

play a ball. But didn't do it. So 5-4 and one game away from victory,

. He doesn't like to have a coach. Look at him reacting to the music.

He likes to do his own thing and not be involved in a riming id

structure or be involved with anybody else. He likes to let it

flow out of the racket. We can understand that logic. As well from

a coach's point of view he is not the easiest player to work with

because he has so many different attributes to his game. It is that

natural flair you are trying to let flow in the matches. If you try to

give him a game plan to stick to, I don't think it would work, I think

there is definitely common theme, there is the points that he needs

to do well in his game, first serve, look to dictate with his forehand,

as that man's done a few times in his career. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. World number two at the moment. And he can't

overtake Novak Djokovic at the top of game this week. He is probably

saying to himself "Come on boy, hurry up. Need a practise on the

court." He will be hitting a few balls after this in preparation for

the second match in this group. He plays Mardy Fish this evening.

Talked about how clean the last two service games were, you don't want

to miss a shot like that. First point of the game. Looking to put

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that out of his mind pretty APPLAUSE. That is a clean hit on

the forehand side. Approved of by his exam: It follows a double fault

and a missed volley as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has contributed to what

could be his own downfall here. The defending champion and five times

champion of this season is in good shape in this game. Three match

APPLAUSE. One save. He is going to have to keep throwing the heat.

Serve his way out of trouble. That UMPIRE: Game set and match.

wasn't easy but Federer was up to a winning start at the O2. Massive

disappointment for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. And just as in Paris last

week, it is victory for Federer It wasn't always the prettiest of

performances from either player. Certainly some major highlights in

it as far as the standard is concerned, but I think Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga will be so disappointed, Tim Henman, with a capitulation at the

end, just a couple of mistakes. Poor service game bg but from

Federer's point of view he didn't play his best tennis, the

conditions were tricky court locks like it is slow, a bit sticky and

he's managed to come away with a win, so it puts him in a strong

position in this group, but Tsonga still had the opportunity. That is

the joy of this sort of format, these group stage, you can lose a

match and still come back, and still go through to the semifinals.

Just the top two from each four-man group go through to the semi finals

and possibly the finals after that. So all is not lost for Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga. Federer is in good shape. 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 the final score.

Federer found way to gain the victory. The crowd enjoyed it. This

Sunday afternoon, and there is much more to come later on this evening.

Tomorrow, from 2.00, you can see Andy Murray in action, he will open

his campaign against one of the two Spaniards, David Ferrer, the world

number five. Tickets are still available if you fancy coming down.

This one has gone to Federer. didn't think about it, but he

played an amazing match against me at Wimbledon and redevered to win

and today almost again it was close. You know, I had a bit of luck maybe

in the last game. It came at the right time and I am happy to get

off a good start. It changed round quickly, that opening set was

almost perfect. 21 minutes an he came back at you fast. Yes I had a

couple of errors to give him the chance at 30-30. That is all it

takes indoors against a great player like Jo. It was it was

unfortunate for me, he took advantage of it. He served

fantastic and it was hard to control the rallys from the

baseline. I feel fortunate to come through but I am happy with my

level. You are on a 13 consecutive match win at the moment. Is this

the best you have played all year? Possibly, for a long period of time

this is an amazing run, it started back after the open, after that

loss against Novak Djokovic, it is a good reaccuse sthaurpbgs is the

stuff I expect from myself, but it has been, I have had some time off

and played great in Paris and here I am, so I am happy to be here.

is the tenth consecutive time you have made the season ending

championships which is a phenomenal record. You still get the same

thrill? Absolutely. It has changed over the years from different venue,

started in 2002 in Shanghai, and going to Houston, back to Shanghai

and here to London, so it has been a great journey, I have played full

seasons, my whole career really, so I've been fortunate to play so many

world tour finals and this is one of the best one, and I am happy to

have won here and experienced this amazing crowd. APPLAUSE Just

finally, it was great to see Henry in your box today, I don't know if

that was psychology in on your part, a Frenchman rooting against a

Frenchman. He just wanted to see some tennis, it happened against Jo.

I am going to speak to him now, if he has not already. It isifies he

came out, still following in New York, we see each other. How is his

tennis? Pretty good. A great athlete, and he is talented. That

is all I can say. Roger, congratulations today. Thank you

very much. So Roger Federer looking more comfortable in interview tan

he was on the court some of the time there. But he got the victory

and it was a tough one in three sets. Later on it is Nadal versus

Fish from this group. You can see what that does to Group B. Federer

has opened up with a victory. And Group A is under way tomorrow, the

first match in the afternoon, live coverage on BBC Two and HD, Andy

Murray versus David Ferrer, after that Novak Djokovic will be in

action against Thomas Berdych. Just confirming that on the HD channel

on BBC Two. Murray versus Ferrer. It is on line, it is everywhere

because Murray is in town. What do you Mick of his form Tim? He has

played fantastic. He had the great run in Asia, he won those three

tournaments, and you know, he lost to Thomas Berdych if Paris but I

wouldn't read a great deal into that, he is number three in the

world an he will fight hard for that position. Himself and Federer

have been having a few words in the press which has been amusing and it

will be good to see if Murray can finish up number three It is good,

Andy has never been intimidated. He said the other day apart from South

African. That is when he was young, you have to be that way. That is

right, and those guys now know, actions speak louder than words and

they want to be, you know, doing their talking on the court. This is

a great place to do it. It is incredible. It really is such a

great event, we are fortunate to have it in London. You have the

best eight players in the world. For Federer that was a good start.

He didn't play his best. I don't think he was totally comfortable

with the conditions. It was job done. Tim, good talking to you