Roger Federer qualifies for 13th consecutive ATP World Tour Finals

A resurgent Roger Federer has qualified for a record 13th consecutive ATP World Tour Finals in comfortable fashion, in marked contrast to 2013 when he squeezed in the week before the end-of-season tournament in London.


The 33-year-old claimed his sixth Western and Southern Open title in Cincinnati on Sunday with victory over Spain’s David Ferrer, the final key warm-up event before the US Open begins on 25 August.


The result was good enough for him to become the third man to qualify for the eight-player tournament, behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the world No1 and No2.


“It’s always one of the big goals I set myself at the beginning of the season,” Federer, a six-time Finals winner, said in a statement.


“It’s always an absolute honour being part of the best eight. Getting a chance to win an extra trophy at the end of the season – which is so prestigious, one of the biggest ones we have in the game and one I’ve done so well at – is a great feeling.“


The 17-time grand slam champion battled in 2013, winning just one title, suffering a shock second-round exit at Wimbledon and dropping outside the world top four for the first time in a decade. Now back at No3, he has confounded those who said his career was coming to an end, going down in five sets to Djokovic in the Wimbledon final and winning three titles.


“Returning to the season finale is something I’ve been a part of since 2002, so to do it again is a privilege and I will try to play my very best there,” he added. “I hope I can save some of my best for last.”


theguardian.com