LEAD: Federer fires to second win over Tsonga

Nov 20, 2011, 16:31 GMT

London - Roger Federer got off to a winning start at the ATP World Tour finals, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the second time in a week 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in a Group B match on Sunday.

The Swiss who owns five year-end trophies and who has played in ten consecutive season wrap-up events, won in just under 90 minutes.

Federer backed up his Paris title success over the Frenchman seven days ago as he won his 13th match in a row. Federer has not lost since US Open semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic when he held match points.

'This was possibly one of my best matches of the year,' said Federer, winner of his last two events in Basle and Paris. 'Today was close, but maybe I had some luck in the last game (when he broke Tsonga).

'I'm happy to get off to a good start in the group.'

The Swiss world number four who has a chance of overtaking Andy Murray to grab third back, hammered through the opening set but was unable to continue his dominance, as Tsonga broke twice in the second set to square it.

The situation remained tight in the third, with Federer gaining the tiniest of edges as his opponent double-faulted in the tenth game for 0-30. A forehand winner to the corner from Federer yielded three match points with the Swiss converting on his second with a clean backhand winner.

Federer finished with 15 winners and 20 unforced errors in what he will admit was not his cleanest performance.

Federer improved his record over Tsonga to 7-3 after losing twice to the powerful French player this season but now lifting his third straight victory in the series.

Rafael Nadal was playing Mardy Fish in the second group match on opening day of the eight-man competition which ends the season.

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