LONDON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- World No. 5 Kei Nishikori beat British number one Andy Murray in the first match of the ATP World Tour Finals here on Sunday.

Nishikori, the first Asian player in history to make the year-ending event, demolished last year's Wimbledon champion 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 35 minutes.

Murray, who missed last year's tournament due to a back injury, clawed his way back from 3-0 behind in the second set, managing to level the score 4-4 but Nishikori took control again and gave the Scot no chance.

Murray, who has dropped to No. six in the world rankings, will meet the loser of Sunday evening's match between Roger Federer and Milos Raonic on Tuesday.

"Maybe the beginning a little bit tight, but I started feeling well and the second set was almost perfect," Nishikori said after the match. "It's my goal to go semifinal and final."