ATP World Tour Finals: Djokovic books Nadal clash, Federer dispatches Nishikori

World number one ousts Berdych in straight sets to secure semi-final berth

LONDON: Novak Djokovic set up an ATP World Tour Finals showdown against Rafael Nadal as the defending champion booked his semi-final berth with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych, while Roger Federer defeated Kei Nishikori to eliminate the Japanese star.

After Federer’s 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win earlier in the day, world number one Djokovic knew he would advance to the last-four if he could secure one set against Berdych in his concluding group match at London’s O2 Arena.

The Serb, a winner of three Grand Slam titles this year, wasted little time achieving that goal as he took the first set to ensure he would finish second in the group behind Federer and eventually eased to victory in 89 minutes.

ATP World Tour Finals: Resurgent Nadal thrashes Murray to enter semis

Djokovic’s bid to win the Tour Finals for a record fourth successive year is likely to face a sterner test on Saturday from his old rival Nadal, who looked in fine form while romping to victories over Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray to secure top spot in the other group.

“We have played so many times and even a couple of times on this very court,” said Djokovic, who has won seven of his last eight matches with Nadal. “He has played great in his first couple of matches and hopefully I will be able to play my best. That is what is needed to beat him.”

Federer had already clinched a record 13th Tour Finals semi-final place after ending Djokovic’s three-month unbeaten run.

ATP World Tour Finals: Victorious Federer insists Djokovic still favourite

But the 34-year-old still needed to beat Nishikori to be certain of advancing as the group winner and he finished the job in two hours and 10 minutes to emerge from the first phase with a 100% record for the seventh time.

“It was a really important one for me, to move on [to the semi-finals] with a good feeling,” said Federer. “There are points on the line and prestige. I want to do well here.”  

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2015.

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