LEAD: Federer sets year-end pace with perfect 3-0 record

Nov 24, 2011, 16:27 GMT

London - Roger Federer beat Mardy Fish for the seventh time in eight meetings, sending the American home without a group win while assuring himself of his semi-final spot at the ATP World Tour Finals Fish 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday.

The Swiss number four had already won Group B through his second victory on Tuesday. The test against Fish was more polish on a season which has flourished in recent weeks.

Federer now owns wins from his last 15 matches, which include titles at home in Basle and at Paris before coming to London for the eight-man season wrap-up.

He has won the year-ender five times, including in London in 2010.

Fish leaves with a 0-3 mark after starting with a groin injury. The 29-year-old gave Federer a minor fright by winning the second set before the 16-time Grand Slam winner regained total control.

'I didn't expect anything different, Mardy is always very dangerous,' said Federer. 'He takes the ball early and serves great. He can get on a roll.

'I was worried in the third set after he won the second. I thought I might lose today. But I've had a great run since the US Open and I'm still going strong.

'I hope to make it a nice weekend, it's wonderful to have won all three matches in the group.'

Rafael Nadal and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, both Federer Group B victims this week, were playing later with the winner joining the Swiss in the final four.

Federer went through in an hour and three-quarters with 28 winners and four breaks of Fish, who out-aced the Swiss 10 to seven.

Federer set another minor record with his 37th career match win at the year-end tournament, putting him one ahead of Boris Becker. Ivan Lendl is the all-time leader with 39.

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