LONDON (AP) ― Experience prevailed over youth as Roger Federer tamed Milos Raonic 6-1, 7-6 (0) in his opening round-robin match at the ATP Finals Sunday after Kei Nishikori started his maiden campaign at the season-ending tournament with a win.

Federer, the most successful player at the elite championship, started brilliantly against the 23-year-old Raonic ― the youngest player of the eight-man field ― then withstood his assaults in the second set.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion, chasing a seventh title, saved all four break points he faced to avenge his loss to the big-serving Canadian in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters last week.

“Thankfully he didn’t play quite so well, like he did in Paris maybe,” Federer said.