ROGER & OUT

Perfect Federer through to semis as he sends Djokovic crashing in winner-takes-all clash

FEDERER gained revenge for his Wimbledon final defeat last night by destroying Novak Djokovic at the Nitto ATP Finals.

And the Serb’s early elimination means that Rafa Nadal will finish the year as world No.1.

Federer fired down 12 aces in a devastating serving display to win 6-4 6-3 in only 72 minutes at The O2.

The Swiss won 81 per cent of points on his first serve in his first victory over Djokovic in four years.

Like across London at SW19, the crowd were fervently backing Federer and cheered the world No.2’s double faults.

Insult was added to injury for the Australian and

Wimbledon champion as he was nursing an elbow problem.

Six-time champion Federer has now reached the semifinals of this event 16 times out of 17 – and every time since it moved to London in

2009.

Federer said:

“Great atmosphere, great opponent – it was magical.

“It was a great performance from me tonight.”

On what was different from Wimbledon, he added: “I won match point, I guess! It was so close at Wimbledon. It was a privilege to play that match, so many ups and downs. I couldn’t be more happy right now.

“You always play better as the tournament goes on.

Dominic Thiem has been supreme in our group, made life difficult for both of us, and made it so that it was winner goes through.

“I think I served great, had great anticipation, a clear game plan and it worked great tonight – hopefully, not for the last time against Novak.

“I’m happy to stick around. I don’t think we know who I play, so I’ll watch some tomorrow and get ready, then, hopefully, play some good tennis at the weekend.”

Thiem (above) was yesterday tipped to become a future Grand Slam winner and world

No.1 by his fellow Austrian Thomas Muster.

And world No.5 Thiem believes claiming the Nitto ATP Finals this weekend would be a big stepping stone to reaching the very top.

The French Open finalist revealed he was suffering from a cold after losing a dead rubber 7-6 6-3 to Matteo Berrettini.

But Chelsea fan Thiem had already guaranteed his place in tomorrow’s semi-final with wins over Federer and Djokovic.

Muster, the only Austrian to ever win a Grand Slam title, said the 26-year-old’s performances proved he is destined to become the best player on the planet and win the big titles. “It’s only a question of time until Thiem wins a Grand Slam and is World No.1,” said Muster, the 1995 French Open champion. “I have seen him the last few weeks. I have seen improvements – the way he is playing the game is heading north.

“Age in sport is always a factor that we have to calculate in. Dominic has beaten the top three – he knows he can do that in matches.”

Nadal, who saved match point to defeat Daniil Medvedev, needs to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first match today.

Nadal, 33, must then hope Medvedev beats Alex Zverev to make the semi-finals.