The O2 Arena, with hardly an empty seat, gave both players a rapturous welcome and they were immediately rewarded with a fabulous opening point, an epic baseline rally eventually won by Federer when Murray mis-hit a forehand so badly it hit the scoreboard.

BBC: Roger Federer beats Andy Murray at ATP Tour Finals

His forehand carried the day (he hit 12 forehand winners) and he won 68% of points on his serve.

WSJ: At the French Open, Jack Sock Is Having a

Djokovic hit consecutive forehand errors to lose serve and fall behind 3-2, the start of a stretch where Haas won six consecutive games.

NPR: Djokovic Upset By Tommy Haas At Key Biscayne

Both players held on their next service games and Davydenko clinched his third win in five attempts against Nadal when the Spaniard hit a forehand fractionally long.

BBC: Davydenko wins Shanghai Masters

Murray had a chance to hit back immediately when a mis-hit Federer forehand gave him a break point, but his opponent saved that before holding to establish a 5-2 advantage.

BBC: Murray gains revenge over Federer

When Nadal earned a break point in the final game of the match, Djokovic hit a forceful forehand for deuce, made the sign of the cross and then finished off the match two points later.

WSJ: With 'Outrageous' Australian Open Win, Novak Djokovic Sets Sights on Paris

He hit more winners, more forehand winners and more aces than Federer and had fewer errors.

WSJ: Australian Open: The New Normal: Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic

My heavy forehand doesn't work against him, so I had to hit it flatter, which is higher risk.

CNN: Roddick serves up semifinal upset with victory over Nadal

In the 2010 final, Nadal hit 51 first serves to Soderling's backhand versus 21 to the forehand.

WSJ: Rafael Nadal, the Underrated Tactician, Stalks Novak Djokovic

Murray appeared to have broken the Argentine's resistance when he recovered the deficit in game five but Del Potro hit straight back to break again and sealed the set after 90 minutes with another blistering forehand winner.

BBC: Andy Murray beats Del Potro in ATP Finals opener