Djokovic beats Nadal, but semi-final fate rests with Davydenko (1st Lead)

By Bill Scott Nov 27, 2009, 17:24 GMT

London - Novak Djokovic did his part Friday to reach the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Final, defeating second seed Rafael Nadal 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

But the final fate of the Serb rests on the racket of Nikolay Davydenko, who takes on Swede Robin Soderling in the last of the group matches later.

Despite the uncertainty, Djokovic has no complaints about his current state.

'In World Tour Finals, it's (round robin) is actually good. In my situation maybe not now, because my destiny doesn't depend from myself.

'But that's the way it is.'

As in Thursday's statistical debacle which saw Roger Federer and Juan Del Potro through from Group A on the barest of game-winning percentage margins at the expense of British hero Andy Murray, the situation in the other group is somewhat more straightforward.

With his victory in just under two hours over Nadal - still trying to crash the 400-match victory barrier for his career - Djokovic can now only wait and watch for the result of the concluding match.

For Djokovic to go through, French Open finalist Soderling, who booked his weekend place on Wednesday, must beat Davydenko. In all other situations, Soderling and Davydenko will be the qualifiers.

'I don't think any player should do any calculation because on the court you can't really perform your best tennis. It didn't really make any difference to me when I played in these last two years, I've tried to give maximum in every match I play,' said Djokovic, the defending champion.

The week has less impressive for Nadal, who has not won a title since last May in Rome and now faces a last season test in the Davis Cup final in Barcelona next week as Spain defend their title against the Czech Republic.

'It's disappointing if you arrive here with the feeling that you have a big chance to win - but I didn't arrive here with that feeling,' said the Spaniard. ' I know before the tournament that going to be really tough, difficult.

'But I tried, every day I tried my best.'

The formerly invincible Spaniard from Mallorca lost his seventh hard court match out of ten played against Djokovic, who tore up the circuit in recent weeks with three ATP titles in a month and a half.

'I think I improved a little bit, but, you know, that's tennis. I'm playing against the best players of the world. It wasn't enough on this surface.'

Nadal still holds a 14-7 overall record in the series with the Serb, who will be hoping to defend the year-end trophy he lifted a year ago in Shanghai.

The victory was the third on the trot in straights sets for world number three Djokovic over Nadal after success in Cincinnati and Paris Bercy a fortnight ago.

Djokovic could steal the number two ranking from Nadal if he can lift the title on Sunday.

But there is also a sting in the tail, with Nadal able to haul himself back if he plays the Davis Cup final and wins two live singles rubbers, according to ATP calculations.