Janko Tipsarevic had never beaten Roger Federer in five attempts leading up to today's clash between the pair at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The Serbian was unable to end that run in the O2 Arena this afternoon as defending champion Federer dropped just four games on his way to picking up maximum points.
Below is our minute-by-minute updates of how the match unfolded.
Afternoon all. Well, yesterday we saw the world number one and US Open champion both win their opening encounters at the O2. Can arguably the best tennis player of all time follow suit? I wouldn't bet against it!
What can you about Roger Federer that hasn't been said before? Nothing, to be honest! He's the defending champion and is bidding to win the title for the third time in succession.
And what will probably be even more worrying for Tipsarevic is the fact that R-Fed pulled out of last week's Paris Masters in order to rest up for this event. Reports have claimed that world number two has looked extremely sharp during recent practice sessions.
In contrast, Tipsy has not been in the best of health coming into this tournament. He has only just overcome a virus and a problem with his shoulder. It's hard enough to play Federer when you're fully fit, let alone when you're struggling for fitness!
His record against Fed, as mentioned in the introduction, does also not read too favourably. In five meetings, Federer has won them all. What's more, four of those victories were achieved in straight sets.
They last came up against each other in the semi-final of the Madrid Masters earlier this year. While we wait for the start of this match, here's some of highlights:
Of course Tipsarevic is only here because Rafael Nadal's troublesome knees have prevented him from competing. Tipsy benefited from a similar set of circumstances last year when he replaced and injured Andy Murray after one match.
Here's another Federer fact that is quite simply outstanding. This year will be his 11th appearance at the event and he has a record of 39 wins and just seven losses! The man really defies belief at times!
"It's good to be back. Day after day I am feeling better. I cannot say I am feeling 100% but I am close. It is not an easy start. I have to be as aggressive as possible," Tipsarevic has just told Sky Sports News.
And Federer has been talking up his opponent: "He has always shown signs of being a great player. You know what to expect from him but he is a dangerous player."
The two players are now walking along the narrow O2 corridors. Tipsarevic will be first out...
Now it's Fed's turn. This reception is bound to be loud...
And it was! That is arguably the biggest cheer to an introduction so far. Only Andy Murray could rival that. Federer is a real favourite of the fans wherever he goes.
Federer lost the coin toss but Tipsarevic opts to receive. It seems that the Serbian is planning on trying to steal an early break of Federer's serve. Hopefully for his sake it doesn't backfire!
The warm-ups are almost over. Both players are just firing down a few final serves. Not long now until we are off and running.
Right, here we go. Federer will start the match with the ball in hand.
ACE! Wow, that is some start from Federer. At 40-0 up, the Swiss star booms down an ace that just clips the line. Stunning stuff. Pressure on Tipsarevic to follow suit.
A break point comes up for Federer...
But an unforced error from Federer brings up deuce. It's important that Tipsarevic holds here. An early break could be disastrous.
Back comes Federer with some cute net play. Second break point...
BREAK! What a shot from Federer to claim the break. He drew Tipsy into the net and when the time was right, he sent the ball across court from the baseline and out of the reach of his opponent. It doesn't look like the best idea from Tipsy to not serve first now!
Very neat and tidy from Federer, who produces a second routine service game. It may be early, but you have to fear the worst for Tipsarevic.
That's better from Tipsarevic. He found a bit belief and managed to pull off a love service game. Now he somehow has to find a way of breaking Federer's serve. Rather him than me!
It looked as though Federer was the puppet master in that game and Tipsarevic danced to his tune! One rally that ended up putting Fed 40-0 in front ended with Tipsy on the ground and the world number two smashing the ball past him with interest.
It's a second solid hold from Tipsarevic. However, you get the impression that Federer is not too concerned. He's got the all-important break after all.
Tipsarevic forces Federer all the way to deuce, but is unable to make any further inroads. Fed is now just one game away from taking this opening set.
Another love game for Tipsy, who really got his backhand firing in that one. The Serb has a double-handed grip and he's really getting some power on the strings. Fed serving for the set now though.
ACE! SET! There are aces all over the place as Fed cruises into a one-set lead. He served two in that game, which lasted around one minute! An early break hurt Tipsy in that set, he cannot afford something similar in the next one.
It's a very important hold for Tipsarevic. He's sent out a message to Federer there that he won't go away easily. Have to say that Fed's forehand was a little off-rader.
ACE! R-Fed brings up another hold with yet another ace. If truth be told, Tipsarevic hasn't really come close to breaking his serve yet.
Tipsarevic can only find the net with a backhand stroke and as a result Federer has a break point...
Positive stuff from Tipsy, who forces Federer wide on his backhand. The Serb eventually overpowers his opponent and we have deuce.
A lovely passing stroke down the line from Federer brings up a second break point...
But again Tipsy saves himself. He's got to hold here after this match will be over pretty quickly.
Back comes Federer though, who earns himself a third break point...
BREAK! Tipsy goes too flat with his forehand and the ball crashes into the net. His head drops and he knows that he is in big trouble now. Federer is a set and a break up.
In just one minute and 16 seconds Federer has a love hold. The clocking is ticking for Tipsarevic. If he is broken here, it's game over.
Break point Federer...
And Federer just misses the line. We have deuce again.
Break point Federer yet again. He had to stretch at the net but the Swiss star plants the ball in the middle of the court with Tipsy stranded.
But a powerful serve down the middle saves Tipsarevic. Deuce.
It's not safe for long though as he fires long to the baseline. Third break point Federer...
But again Tipsy lives to fight another day as R-Fed commits an unforced error.
Fourth break point Federer thanks to a fantastic forehand stroke that only just bounced, forcing Tipsarevic to find the net...
BREAK! Tipsarevic tried is hardest to keep the ball away from Federer's forehand, but he couldn't prevent the inevitable. As the ball bounces up in the middle of the court, Fed adjusts his feet accordingly and wrong foots Tipsarevic to claim the break point. There's not long left in this one.
I'm beginning to feel sorry for Tipsarevic. He's not playing badly, it's just that Federer has been near his best. Tipsy has not broken Federer in 53 attempts now - that dates back to 2008! He's also only had two break points in that time. Madness! He is now serving to stay in the match.
An off-balance shot goes wide from Tipsarevic and Federer has a match point...
GAME, SET AND THE MATCH ROGER FEDERER
Well that is a real message to the likes of Murray and Djokovic that Federer means business this year. He never gave Tipsarevic a sniff. The forehand that eluded him at times this year looked to be back.
"I'm very happy to be playing so well and to be back in London. It's a great atmosphere. It's good to beat Janko because he is a good player," Federer has just told Sky Sports News in his post-match chat.
Right, that is just about all we have time for this afternoon. Be sure to join us this evening for the second match in this group between Juan Martin Del Potro and David Ferrer. We will be with you at around 7.15pm. Until then, goodbye.
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
