LONDON: Roger Federer is on the verge of qualifying for the semifinals of the ATP Tour Finals after cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori at London’s O2 Arena.

Federer, bidding for his seventh title at the prestigious season-ending event, took just 69 minutes to secure his second Group B win and the world No. 2 will be guaranteed a last four berth if Milos Raonic defeats Andy Murray later on Tuesday, or if Murray beats Raonic in three sets.

At 33, Federer is the oldest player to qualify for the Tour Finals in his 13th consecutive appearance, but he has been in age-defying form over the last three days.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion has defeated Raonic and US Open finalist Nishikori, two of the much-touted next generation of rising stars, without dropping a set and will guarantee top spot in the group, which would bring the added bonus of likely avoiding a semifinal showdown with Novak Djokovic, if he beats Murray on Thursday.

Federer, who last won the Tour Finals in 2011, didn’t need to be at his very best against Nishikori, who made 30 unforced errors in a sloppy effort that left him with one win from two matches, damaging his hopes of making the last four ahead of his final group fixture against Raonic.

“I’ve know Kei since he was 17 years old and always thought he was a great talent. He’s going to have a great future so I’m very pleased with the way I played,” Federer said.

“I’m looking forward to playing Andy. We’ve played some of the greatest matches.

“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to watch him tonight though. I’ve got kids so it’s during a time where I usually put everybody to bed!“

Nishikori, the first Asian singles players to make the Tour Finals, grew up idolising Federer and admitted this week that he was completely overwhelmed by nerves when he first got the chance to play the Swiss legend.

But, aided by new coach Michael Chang, he has finally overcome that hurdle and has beaten more top 10 opponents over the last 11 months than in the previous seven years on the ATP Tour.

Nishikori went on to win two of his other three meetings with Federer and had an early chance to take control at the O2 with two break points in the third game.

Federer had other ideas however and battled back to hold serve before landing the first blow himself with a blazing forehand winner to break for a 3-1 lead.

That was all the incentive Federer needed and he cruised through the rest of the first set.

Clement unveils France team for Davis Cup final

Meantime, France captain Arnaud Clement on Tuesday named a team with no surprises to contest the Davis Cup final against Switzerland in Lille Nov. 21-23.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Julien Benneteau and Gilles Simon had been recalled after helping France beat the Czech Republic 4-1 in the semifinals in September.

Tsonga, Monfils, Gasquet, and Simon are already training with France in Bordeaux and could be joined by Benneteau this week should he suffer an early elimination from the ATP Tour Finals in London where he is playing the doubles with Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Swiss captain Severin Luethi named his team last week for the tie at the 27,000-seater Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, who are also playing the ATP Tour Finals, will be joined in northern France by Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer, ranked 198th and 513th respectively.

The draw for the France-Swiss tie will take place on Nov. 20. Until then both teams have the option of changing two of their five players.

It will be the 13th meeting between both countries with France leading 10-2, having won their last meeting in 2004.