Irked Federer loses opener
LONDON – Kei Nishikori hit a backhand so good it threw Roger Federer off his game as the 20-time Grand Slam champion earned a code violation before capitulating in a surprise defeat at the ATP Finals on Sunday.
Two points away from losing the opening set and on the back foot in a rally, Nishikori hit a stunning shot up the line, which prompted Federer to hit the ball into the crowd and receive a warning for ball abuse.
Federer never appeared to regain his composure and went down 7-6 (4), 6-3 in a first opening match defeat at the seasonending tournament since 2013.
“I thought ‘What was his argument, why the warning?” Federer said of his exchange with the umpire. “But nothing more than that. He thought I was angry. I wasn’t. Now I’m angry because I lost, but I wasn’t, so...”