Roger Federer vs Dominic Thiem LIVE: Federer wins first set in crucial ATP Finals clash

Federer knew a defeat would knock him out of the competition and he set his stall out early with a break point in the opening game.

He was never able to take the opportunity but did break twice later in the set.

Thiem was far from his best and often gifted Federer crucial points which the world No 3 gladly took.

Federer will now likely have to beat Kevin Anderson, who has won both of his round robin matches, on Thursday to progress to the semi-finals.

“It feels good I am very happy,” Federer said.

“I showed a reaction after the last match against Kei [Nishikori].

“No match is easy here and it is not something I am used to, to lose and come back again

“Hopefully I can take my revenge [against Kevin Anderson in the next match].”

Roger Federer vs Dominic Thiem LIVE

(* denotes serve)

Roger Federer 6-2 6-3 Dominic Thiem*

Thiem serving to stay in the match puts a backhand into the net on the first point.

He then executes a fantastic drop shot which Federer can’t quite get to before the second bounce.

Thiem leaves a ball to drop at 30-30 and it lands in. Shocking mistake from the Austrian to gift Federer his first match point.

But Thiem is let off when Federer is put on the back foot and fires into the net with a backhand.

Thiem puts his next effort into the net on deuce before volleying wide as Federer wins in straight sets!

*Roger Federer 6-2 5-3 Dominic Thiem

Absolutely magnificent service game from Federer as he finishes a sublime ace down the T.

Roger Federer 6-2 4-3 Dominic Thiem*

Thiem gets things underway with an ace and he challenges the following serve, but it is confirmed to be out.

The Austrian finally begins to find a bit of rhythm with his deliveries but it may have come just too late. 

He serves out the game to love.

*Roger Federer 6-2 4-2 Dominic Thiem

“Let’s go Roger, let’s go” chant sections of the crowd as Federer moves to within two games of this match.

Thiem returning into the net wraps up this sixth game.

Roger Federer 6-2 3-2 Dominic Thiem*

Thiem is making so many mistakes and gifting Federer several key points.

The world No 8 has already made nine unforced errors in the second set and he hits a simple shot into the net when 40-30 up.

Only 35 per cent of Thiem’s serves have landed in and Federer takes advantage of a second serve for breakpoint.

But Thiem saves it with a smashing volley before continuing to hold.

*Roger Federer 6-2 3-1 Dominic Thiem

Federer fires a forehand winner in the opening point and Thiem gets a huge slice of luck in the next after a wayward backhand clips the net and changes direction, somehow landing in.

But Federer reacts well and the duo rally before Thiem shoots into the net after moving in court.

Federer continues to dominate the rest of the set to hold.

Roger Federer 6-2 2-1 Dominic Thiem*

Thiem on the board in this second set which is confirmed when Federer sends a return long.

The Austrian has now got to find a way of breaking back to avoid a second straight defeat at these Finals.  

*Roger Federer 6-2 2-0 Dominic Thiem

Federer really growing into this clash as he holds to love.

Thiem not really offering much in that game, not that he was ever offered the opportunity.

Roger Federer 6-2 1-0 Dominic Thiem*

At 15-15 the pair engage in a backhand-to-backhand across-court rally but it is the Thiem who misses first.

The Austrian then produces a double fault before putting a forehand wide as Federer breaks!

*Roger Federer 6-2 Dominic Thiem

Thiem can only put Federer’s opening serve into the net but he follows that up with a splendid backhand winner down the line.

Federer’s first serve at 15-15 is out – which is confirmed by Hawk-eye – but Thiem returns into the next on the second serve.

Thiem sends the next return long and Federer finishes the first set with a simple backhand pass.

Roger Federer 5-2 Dominic Thiem*

The pair battle to 30-30 but Thiem produces a double fault to gift Federer a third break point of the match.

The Austrian then volleys into the net and Federer will now serve for the first set!

*Roger Federer 4-2 Dominic Thiem

Federer sends Thiem wide twice before volleying winners. The world No 3 finishes the game with an ace, his second of the match.

Roger Federer 3-2 Dominic Thiem*

Federer starting to crank up the pressure now and is moving into the net a little more.

But when Thiem whacked the ball straight at him he had no time to react and falls 40-15 behind.

The Swiss star takes the game to deuce but then fires a no-look forehand into the tramlines after Thiem earned the advantage.

*Roger Federer 3-1 Dominic Thiem

Thiem has a small group of Austrian fans proudly lifting their national flag and cheering his every point.

But Federer holds with a thunderous serve down the T.

Roger Federer 2-1 Dominic Thiem*

Federer breaks! Thiem puts a forehand into the net at 30-30 before firing long in the next point. 

Mistakes galore so far from both players but it is Federer who is in the ascendancy.

*Roger Federer 1-1 Dominic Thiem

Sloppy start from Federer firing a forehand across court which almost hit the doubles line.

Another mistake into the net for 30-30 adds to the tension but Federer eventually digs in to hold at the first opportunity.

Roger Federer 0-1 Dominic Thiem*

Federer tries to put any questions about nerves to bed early on as he earns a 0-30 lead but Thiem draws level after Federer hashes a backhand well wide.

Thiem then shoots long to hand Federer an early break point but the Austrian eventually holds after tussling on deuce in a seven-minute game. 

8.05pm: Federer gets a rousing reception as he walks onto court smirking.

The pressure is really on him tonight and he is certainly not used to being in this situation.

Let’s see how those nerves fare… but you can guarantee Thiem will have fancy his chances after watching Nishikori’s demolition job on Sunday.

8pm: It’s that time again for the players to begin their long walk from the changing room towards the main stage.

The dramatic music is blasting as we await Thiem to first emerge through the sliding doors and smoke screen.

The lowest ranked player must take to court first, but he will be closely followed by Federer.

7.45pm: Federer was out practising with Borna Coric, who he lost to in the Halle Open final, a couple of hours ago on Centre Court.

But it took Federer a while to adjust, often shooting wide before eventually finding his rhythm.

The pair played half a set towards the end of their session which ended 3-3.

7.30pm: Good evening and welcome to the O2 Arena where Federer is about to take on Thiem in his second round robin match.

Federer knows he must secure a win to keep his hopes of progressing out of the group alive.

But the Swiss star has a negative record against Thiem, winning just one of their three previous meetings.

However, the pair have not played each other since 2016 so it will be interesting to see how their styles match up this time around.