Roger Federer kicked off his ATP World Tour Finals campaign in impressive style as the world number two stormed to a 6-1 7-6 victory over Milos Raonic at the O2 Arena.
The Swiss ace offered the London crowd a sign of what was to come in Raonic's opening service game by securing an early break of serve to pile the pressure on his rival.
Federer, who lost just five points on his serve in the opener, would need just one more break as he wrapped up the set in 25 minutes.
Raonic proved to be a more stubborn force at the other end of the court in the second set, despite being forced to save a break point at 1-1.
Federer was asked to save break points in successive service games, but he responded in emphatic fashion to close the door on his Canadian rival with a couple of perfect serves.
The set would continue with serve as both players missed chances to make the breakthrough, and it was Federer who produced his best tennis of the match to secure the win in the tie-break.
Raonic's decision to attack Federer would ultimately prove to be his downfall as a number of errors, including a double fault, handed the second seed a 7-0 win in the tie-break and victory on the opening night of the season-ending event.
Callum Mulvihill
