ATP Finals: Roger Federer fears Novak Djokovic threat as he targets 100th title

It was on the red clay of Monaco 12 years ago that the rivalry between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic first surfaced, Federer going on to win match one of 47.

Federer won their first four encounters, Djokovic their last four, in a head-to-head admittedly overshadowed by Federer’s with Rafael Nadal but not without its own drama.

With the greatest respect to Marin Cilic, whom Djokovic faces on Friday, and then whoever lies in wait in Saturday's semi-finals, the indications in London are for a Djokovic-Federer final.

After Federer’s abject display on the opening night against Kei Nishikori, such a dream final looked inconceivable. But after topping his group by beating Kevin Anderson on Thursday 6-4, 6-2, Federer said: “I’m happy that this is another week like this. Didn’t look like it maybe 72 hours ago but I was able to come back and play good tennis.”

Victory on Sunday would mark a 100th career title for the 37-year-old Swiss but he countered: “I’m still not thinking of the number 100. I won’t let that get in my head. As long as I think Novak is in the draw — he’s playing so good again — it’s never going to be easy.”

The pair’s rivalry was never anticipated by Federer. In their earlier years on tour, he said in confidence he did not anticipate a long-term threat, instead his focus was on Nadal.

But in some ways, against Djokovic, Federer is almost more at ease, the obstacle on the other side of the net such that he can more freely play his natural game as the Serbian counter punches from the back of the court.

Having spent in excess of 94 hours in competition with each other, if, as expected, they meet in Sunday’s final there will be few surprises for either player. Djokovic will have the higher confidence, having muscled his way from 22nd in the world in June to be end-of-year world No1 as well as winning Wimbledon and the US Open.

Plus, he edged the three-hour, three-set marathon in their recent Paris showreel, a match worthy of a place alongside their US Open semi-finals of 2010 and 2011, the French Open last-four encounter in 2011 or the 2014 Wimbledon final.

Djokovic ranked Paris as “the best quality match I was part of” in 2018, eclipsing even the Nadal semi-final at Wimbledon. And looking ahead to a potential 48th match against Federer, he said: “When I get to play Roger, I know I have to get the best out of myself in order to win, and that’s why our rivalries and matches are so special.”

Then there is the London factor for Djokovic who, having also reached the Queen’s final this year, boasts 13 out of 14 wins in the capital in 2018 alone, a city where he is bidding for his 10th consecutive win on Friday.

But Federer is no stranger to ending a Djokovic streak. “It [the rivalry] was always overshadowed by the rivalry I had in previous years with Rafa because I always played against Novak mostly in the semis for years,” he said.

“We had some great finals as well. I look back at the US Open final, the Wimbledon final, the big semi-final match at the French Open when he was on that unbelievable streak.

“It’s a very dynamic rivalry and we don’t need to change our games much playing each other. It’s just tough.”