ATP World Finals: Andy Murray v Roger Federer

As the crowd starts to fill up the arena, a rather scary looking Andy Murray stares down from the big screen Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Diego Maradona is in a prime position in the front row, but looks a bit bored or maybe he's a bit scared by Murray's looming presence Photograph: Tom Jenkins

It's a packed house at the O2 but there's more Federer fans than Murray ones in SE10 Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Their hero, the world No2 (though it's not often Federer has been called that) makes his entrance Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The crowd applaud as Murray, accompanied by a small mascot and a big ball, makes his way into the arena Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Murray serves the first game of the match and must be confident of a win today as he has beaten Federer in their previous two Masters encounters in Toronto and Shanghai Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Though Federer knows that he has beat the Scot in the corresponding fixture last year and also in their two matches in grand slam finals - and they are the matches that really matter Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Federer starts very strongly and serves to love in three straight games and only loses one point in his first five service games Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Murray struggles to reach one of Federer's fantastic serves Photograph: Tom Jenkins

With Federer leading 5-4, Murray finally finds some form and a great forehand puts him 0-30 up but the Swiss rallies and an overcooked forehand by Murray gives Federer the set, 6-4
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Federer keeps up the pressure at the start of the second set and it's not long before he's 3-0 up
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Much to the Scot's displeasure. The fourth game saw the rally of the match which Murray won with a drilled backhand down the line Photograph: Tom Jenkins

That is only a blip for Federer, who soon enough continues his masterclass Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Given that the Swiss maestro is in such devastating form, it isn't long before the inevitable happens and another Murray forehand into the net gives Federer a 6-4 6-2 victory Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Which he celebrates in a manner which is as graceful as his tennis Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Murray looks shell-shocked, which is no surprise after such a crushing defeat. He must be especially dismayed about his performance today which was such a struggle compared to the drubbing that he gave to Soderling on Sunday. Murray, the fifth seed, must now defeat David Ferrer on Thursday to have any chance of going through Photograph: Tom Jenkins