‘Dozy’ Roger Federer’s wake-up call as he plots the downfall of Andy Murray

Eye on the prize: Roger Federer, in action during his victory over Fernando Verdasco on Sunday, expects another difficult match against Andy Murray as he bids to stay No1 in the world
David Smith13 April 2012

It is just as well the O2 Arena will be rocking to a sell-out crowd of nearly 17,500 tennis fans tonight because Roger Federer may need a little help staying awake against Andy Murray.

Federer came into the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals revealing how playing a daily game of doubles trying to look after four-month-old twins Myla Rose and Charlene Riva has taken its toll by depriving him of sleep.

But Federer, the world No1 and winner of a record 15 Grand Slam titles, would not have it any other way as he adjusts to the demands of fatherhood.

The 28-year-old said: "I make sure that on my off days I get a night where I can sleep longer, or I take an afternoon nap. It's working out okay."

But only just. There were suspicions that Federer was caught napping in his opening round-robin group match, against 26-year-old Spaniard Fernando Verdasco on Sunday, when he lost the first set and trailed 0-30 on serve at 5-5 in the second before storming back to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

With Murray in imperious form while beating US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, also on Sunday, Federer cannot afford a single lapse in concentration against the local hero tonight when every seat in the Arena will be filled for the match of the tournament so far.

Needing to maintain a positive run this week if he is to deny Rafael Nadal the privilege of ending the season at the top of the world rankings - the Spaniard did himself no favours losing in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 to Robin Soderling yesterday - Federer is using revenge as his motivation.

In this same tournament last year, held in Shanghai, Federer had to beat Murray in the third and final group game to have any chance of progressing to take a third straight World Tour Final title. Unfortunately for him, Murray proved the stronger man over three physically punishing but enthralling sets.

Federer said: "It was a very exciting match to be a part of. It was unfortunate for me not to come through but the match was great. I hope we can live up to the expectations and play another good one."

Despite having an overall losing record against Murray, with defeats just this year coming in Indian Wells and Doha, Federer did win their last encounter in the Cincinnati semi-finals three months ago.

"I expect another difficult match," he said. "From the top guys, Andy has been one I've played most. It's always fun playing your fellow rivals."

At least, it's always fun when you're winning. And that's what Federer aims to do this week.

He said: "Definitely, I'm here to win the tournament and try to stay number one in the world.

"But it's obvious the competition is stiff, it's not going to be an easy task for me or Rafa - if he wants to get it."

Nadal's mind may have been willing against Sweden's Soderling but his body, unnervingly thin as he tries to ease the strain on his troublesome knees, proved weak. In the wake of that shock loss, the Spaniard shrugged shoulders that no longer bulge with power and said: "It's not about being number one. It is not the right moment. My level now is not to be number one.

"Sport is like this. Sometimes you have best moments, sometimes you have little bit worse moments. This is one of the bit worse moments."

In last night's final game, reigning champion Serbian Novak Djokovic came from a set down to again get one over on last year's beaten finalist, Nikolay Davydenko, of Russia.

In a match that ended just before midnight, Djokovic triumphed 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 and then, to the delight of the hardy crowd, exchanged shirts football-style with his opponent.

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