Old brigade teaches young guns a lesson in London

Roger Federer humiliated his much younger opponent at a tournament for the world’s best players while a fellow veteran did the same.

Roger Federer isn’t slowing down.

Six-time champion Roger Federer has avoided an early exit from the ATP Finals as he rediscovered his form to outclass Dominic Thiem in straight sets.

The Swiss maestro needed just 66 minutes to dispatch the Austrian 6-2 6-3 while Kevin Anderson took two minutes less to crush Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-0.

Federer found himself with his back to the wall after an error-strewn loss to Nishikori in his opening round-robin match on Monday — his first straight sets defeat in 46 group stage matches at the season-ending showpiece.

Another loss would have made it impossible for him to reach the semi-finals for the 15th time in 16 appearances at the tournament.

Yet 48 hours later, the 37-year-old Federer looked much more like his old smooth self as he rebounded in style, to the delight of the majority in the packed stadium.

Thiem saved a break point in the opening game but he sent a forehand long to give Federer an early break that he never looked like relinquishing. Two tame volley errors by Thiem gave Federer another break for a 5-2 lead as he cruised to the opening set.

Federer turned the screws to break again immediately in the second set and never looked in any danger.

“It feels good, I’m very happy I showed a reaction after the last match against Kei,” Federer said.

“No match is easy here and it’s not something I’m used to, losing and then coming back and playing again, but it’s a great challenge and I’m happy with my attitude and how I played.”

Thiem was no match for Federer, who is 12 years his senior.

Federer also responded to comments made by French player Julien Benneteau, who accused the Swiss maestro in a radio interview of receiving preferential treatment at the Australian Open because his matches were often scheduled at night, away from the scorching morning and afternoon heat.

Federer was all class in his response, refusing to hit back at Benneteau.

“The radio interview that happened over a week ago that surfaces now in French, Julien, who is a nice guy, I know him since the junior times, I think all of this has been totally taken out of context,” Federer said.

“I know about the comments. But I don’t really feel the mood during a World Tour Finals to discuss that topic, to be honest.

“In all fairness, I hope you understand why, because this is a bit of a celebration for tennis.

“For me it’s the year-end finale. I love playing here.”

Tennis Australia also released a statement defending its scheduling of Federer’s matches at Melbourne Park, calling him a “once-in-a-generation” star who deserves to play in prime time.

Federer will face South African Anderson in his final match in the Lleyton Hewitt group on Friday.

Kevin Anderson was too strong for Kei Nishikori.

ATP Finals debutant Anderson leads the group with two wins and would have been assured of a semi-final spot had Federer been beaten by Thiem or even dropped a set.

“Amongst the best I’ve played,” Anderson told reporters when asked to rate his demolition of Nishikori.

“I felt I did a fantastic job throughout really.”

Federer will likely have to avenge his Wimbledon loss this year by Anderson to reach the semi-finals, although all four players in the group could still mathematically progress.

“I hope it’s not a match like Kevin played this afternoon,” Federer said. “It’s never easy to play against him, especially indoors. He deserved that win at Wimbledon but hopefully I’ll get my revenge.”

While no tennis fan will ever complain about seeing Federer in full flight, it was frightening to see the ease with which he and 32-year-old Anderson dispatched their younger opponents.

Nishikori, 28, and Thiem, 25, were completely outclassed by the veterans at a tournament reserved for the top eight ranked players in the world, prompting English tennis reporter Stuart Fraser to label it an “embarrassment” for the younger generation.

A woeful performance from Dominic Thiem as Roger Federer wins 6-2 6-3 to keep alive his hopes of qualifying for the semis #ATPFinals

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) November 13, 2018

It's an embarrassment. These are matches between the top eight players in the world, not No 1 vs No 623... https://t.co/Lb0aQOSZj1

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) November 13, 2018

There are some shocking stats from today's matches. But considering how this match just ended, I'll just put this one out there:

Net points won by Thiem: 3/11

— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) November 13, 2018

Points Thiem won on the Federer serve throughout the whole match: 6.

— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) November 13, 2018

Thiem finishes off his largely awful performance with a dreadful volley.

Federer far more assured tonight but Thiem really didn't make him work hard for it.

He maintains his unbeaten record in the second group stage match at the #ATPFinals (16-0)

— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) November 13, 2018

Originally published as Old brigade teaches young guns a lesson in London