Good evening and welcome to tonight's live coverage as Roger Federer takes on David Ferrer in their opening match of this year's ATP World Tour finals at the O2 Arena in London.

GAME, SET AND MATCH FEDERER! Ferrer gets lucky on the opening point of the game as the ball bounces off the net and beyond Federer. He brings up two break points, but can't convert any of them as Federer's shot placement and serving carries the game to deuce. Ferrer snaps a racket before Federer knocks a forehand just wide before Ferrer comes in to knock his forehand wide. A big first serve brings up match point. He throws down an ace to complete the win.

Ferrer poses the question of his opponent by holding serve, but he is surely living on borrowed time. Federer serving for his 11th straight victory over the Spanish battler.

Ferrer gets the benefit of a netcord as the ball drops over. He recovers from 0-40 to deuce before Federer wallops away a forehand from deep. He hits through Ferrer again seconds later, and he is suddenly one game away from the match.

Ferrer trying his best against a clearly superior opponent. He has probably not served at his optimum level in this one having thrown in five double faults, but he has to push for the lines to win points. Federer serving with his break in hand.

Federer taken to deuce in the game, but you always get the feeling there is another shot or two in his locker if he needs to go up a gear. A couple of uncharacteristic misses from the former world number one, but a couple of timely first serves helps. Federer has to save a couple of break points as the game staggers beyond eight minutes. A couple of aces with the slider away from his opponent is good enough for Federer. Tough game, but Federer edges it.

BREAK TO FEDERER! Ferrer rams a winning forehand beyond Federer, but the Swiss master is quick to return the favour to bring up the break point. Federer continues to push and probe and Ferrer finally buckles as he pushes a forehand wide. Ferrer looking frustrated, but is now in grave danger of going down in straight sets.

Federer having no such problems on his serve. He races quickly to 40-0 before seeing that game out. Ferrer is ready to serve again. Seems like no time since his last service game. We continue on serve in this second set.

So going for 50 minutes in this second match of the singles at the O2. Federer gives hope to all those amateurs by mishitting a backhand, but he quickly makes amends by drilling a backhand winner down the line before a volley at the net completes a fabulous winning point to take the game to deuce. Dangerous times for Ferrer as he saves a couple of break points, but he battles to hold his serve. Tough going for Ferrer it must be said, but he is fighting his corner.

Federer making light work of that game. Drops only two points in the game. Federer winning 70% of his points on first serve. Just the one ace in the match coming from Federer.

Ferrer forced to fight on every game at the moment. He is dragged to 40-40 by the flashing ground strokes of Federer, but the Spaniard somehow gets out of it holding his serve. He may be lacking a win against Federer, but is not lacking spirit. We are on serve at the outset of the second set.

SET TO FEDERER! Ferrer is fighting admirably, but it is difficult to see him containing Federer in this sort of form. He is moving well in using the drop shot and the slice. Ferrer will keep fighting, but his opponent is looking good. Federer won three of the break points he had in that set, which was more than enough to claim the opener.

BREAK BACK TO FEDERER! Ferrer falls 0-30 behind, and is in a spot of bother. The next two points are shared as Ferrer drills a backhand long. He is facing two break points, but is given a reprieve after Federer dumps a return into the net from a second serve. Ferrer generates enormous pace with the forehand to save the second break point. Both men have their chances, but Federer finally sneaks it after Ferrer throws in his third double fault of the game. He serves for the set with two breaks.

BREAK TO FERRER! Federer throws in a few unforced errors, which seems to surprise even Ferrer as the score reaches 40-40. For once, Ferrer is up to the task as Federer fails to convert a drop shot and the Spaniard whacks away an overhead winner to bring up the break. He takes it with a good return of serve to hit back. Needs another one, but that should give him confidence.

SECOND BREAK TO FEDERER! Ferrer having to throw every inch of his frame at the ball in going for the lines. He has to take chances against a figure such as Federer, but he pulls a forehand wide from the back of the court and we reach 30-30 before another Ferrer forehand flies wide of the target. Federer just tormenting his opponent. The Spaniard drills a backhand into the net and there is another game to Federer.

Some fine shot-making by Ferrer. Doing what he can to keep Federer on the move, but that is easier said than done. A booming first serve takes the Swiss master to advantage before Ferrer whacks a backhand long. 10 minutes gone, and Federer leads 3-0. Well in control of this one as he cements the early break.

BREAK TO FEDERER! Some sublime touches there by Federer at the net. Delightful play by the world number two. He brings up a break point before sliding a lovely backhand down the line. Ferrer can't return in and there is the opening break of the night. A punch of the air tells you everything about Federer's mood.

A strong opening service game from Federer. He wins the game to love. Impressive, impressive opening. Diego Maradona is in the crowd for this one. He was at the Fulham v Manchester City match earlier today. That is what you could describe as a great sporting Sunday.

Federer to serve in the opening game of the match.

Players heading into the arena to the sounds of London Calling by The Clash, which is getting a bit repetitive after Murray and Soderling arrived to that tune earlier on. Federer will serve after the players have a warm-up. Looks like another capacity crowd for this one. 17,500 spectators, and not too many empty spaces.

Ferrer is relishing the chance to compete at the tournament. "I feel good; in good physical shape and with great motivation to play in the days to come. It will be a very difficult match," said Ferrer. "I’ve never beaten him. So I will try to do my best, but it is not easy to play the first match against Federer.”