Greg Rusedski told Sky Sports News HD that he is backing Roger Federer to win the World Tour Finals.
Fed in fine form for defence of Finals title, says Greg
Greg Rusedski is convinced Roger Federer will win this season's ATP World Tour Finals after seeing the Swiss demolish Rafael Nadal in straight sets.
Federer, the defending champion, booked his spot in the semi-finals at the O2 with a thumping 6-3 6-0 victory over Nadal.
The world number four won 10 of the last 11 games to wrap up victory in an hour, impressing Sky Sports pundit Greg Rusedski along the way.
"It was vintage Federer," Rusedski told
Sky Sports News HD. "He played as well as he could - Nadal had not a chance whatsoever. It seemed as though he had the tennis ball on a string. He was my pick for this event and he's looking good to win it again.
"The only player I think has a possible chance to beat him is Novak Djokovic because he is going to improve with every match. He plays David Ferrer tonight [Wednesday]. I expect him to come through in a tight match.
"Djokovic is the man of the year so it will be very interesting; Federer wanting to put back his dominance that he once had in this sport and Djokovic wanting to prove 'hey, I'm still the number one; I'm going to show you that I am going to continue to be this number one player in the world'.
"I've got to favour Novak Djokovic [against Ferrer]. He hadn't played a match in a long while. He came through against Berdych having saved match point, being down a break in the final set.
"Djokovic only gets better throughout an event. He's had 48 hours to rest so expect him to come through in two or three tight sets."
Suits
Nadal admitted after his defeat that Federer "played a fantastic level" but insisted that he will keep fighting to qualify for semi-finals.
Rusedksi does not expect the Spaniard to achieve that aim easily.
"Nadal has won many titles around the world but he's only won one event indoors," he said. "He was in the final last year but Federer was just too good.
"When Federer is that good the court suits him, the ball suits him - he's a tough ask for anybody. Nadal is going to get better with his next round match.
"He is going to play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, which is going to be a big ask for him. If he wants to qualify for the semis, he has to find a way to get it done against Tsonga."
Choice
Federer could leapfrog world number three Andy Murray in the rankings if he continues his good form after the Briton was forced to pull out of the World Tour Finals with a groin injury.
Rusedski said the Scot had little option but to withdraw.
"I think it was the right decision," he said. "If you are not feeling healthy enough you've basically got to get off the court or if you decide to play, you can't moan about it and show everybody that you are injured all the time.
"So you've got to make the right choice for yourself and look for your future. He's talking about the Australian Open. He's had a great season in all the Major championships, so a little bit more rest for next season might be a blessing in disguise.
"It is a little bit of a blow but it won't be such a major blow going into the majors. As long as you are in the top four seeds you don't play Nadal or Djokovic or Federer before the semi-finals and if you are going to win a major you've got to beat two of those guys.
"Yes, personally he'd like to be ahead of Federer because their relationship can be quite tight at times as we saw in the build-up to this event here at the O2. It's more of a personal pride thing and the way Federer is playing you've got to think that he is going to take back his No 3 position."
