There’s life in the old Federer yet

– For a player described as a spent force a year ago, Roger Federer (above) is proving he still has it.

After a disappointing 2013 campaign which he finished with a modest 45-17 record, the 17-Grand Slam champion enjoyed a superb resurgence this season, losing to the top-ranked Novak Djokovic in an epic Wimbledon final and adding five new titles to his collection.

On Tuesday, Federer posted his 70th win on the Tour this year – the most by any player this season – with a clinical 6-3, 6-2 success against Japanese newcomer Kei Nishikori at the ATP Finals.

“I think it’s a great number,” said Federer, who, at 33, is about to become the oldest player to finish a season in the top two.

Federer remains on course for the yearend No 1 spot, but his fate is not in his own hands anymore as Djokovic will nail it if he wins his next two round-robin matches in London.

“Novak looks great. For me, it was never the goal to win world No 1. My focus is rather to try to win the World Tour Finals here and then play a good (Davis Cup) final next week,” Federer said.

“The rankings anyway are going to follow or not. I’m just pleased I’m winning my matches right about now.”

Federer slipped to No 7 in the rankings last season after losing in the second round of Wimbledon and the fourth round at the US Open. He claimed only four wins over top 10 opponents and was hampered by lingering back problems.

With his back fi xed and new coach Stefan Edberg on his side, Federer adapted to a new racket and made some adjustments to his game, coming more often to the net than in previous years.

The Swiss made it to the semifinals at the Australian Open and the US Open and won his 23rd Masters title in Shanghai last month.

“I never feel that he’s 33 right now,” Nishikori said after his loss at the O2 Arena. “He still looks young and is playing amazing tennis. I think his age doesn’t matter right now.” –

London