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Roger Federer sends Andy Murray crashing out in London

Scottish player nearly suffered ‘double bagel’ defeat in front of sell-out crowd at O2 Arena

Roger Federer returns the ball during his match against Andy Murray at the ATP World Tour finals at the O2 Arena in London. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
Roger Federer returns the ball during his match against Andy Murray at the ATP World Tour finals at the O2 Arena in London. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
Thu Nov 13 2014 - 21:28

Roger Federer annihilated Andy Murray 6-0 6-1 to seal top spot in Group B at the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday and send the shell-shocked home favourite crashing out of the tournament at the O2 Arena in London.

Murray managed only eight points in the first set as his hopes of reaching the semi-finals disappeared.

Federer led 6-0 5-0 and 30-0 on Murray’s serve and missed a simple volley that would have given him three match points for a so-called ‘double bagel’.

Murray battled back and finally won a game to huge cheers from the sell-out crowd, although his respite was a brief one as Federer wrapped up a 55-minute win.

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Kei Nishikori's earlier three-set win over alternate David Ferrer ensured Federer had reached the semi-finals even before taking to court against Murray, while the Scottish player knew only a straight sets win would be enough for him.

Federer ended any confusion in emphatic style, handing out a fearful first-set beating to the man who he lost to in the Olympic singles final at Wimbledon in 2012.

Cracking winners at will against a demoralised Murray, the 33-year-old Swiss maestro silenced the Murray fans in the crowd with a formidable onslaught.

It was Murray’s worst defeat since losing to Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-0 in 2007.