Ferrer wins as semi-final spots fill in London

By Bill Scott Nov 23, 2011, 22:10 GMT

London - David Ferrer joined Roger Federer as a semi-finalist on Wednesday at the ATP World Tour Finals, as he thrashed world number one Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-1.

The scampering Spaniard, who lost the 2007 year-end event to Federer in Shanghai, became the first from Group A to advance to the weekend.

Federer clinched his place from Group B on Tuesday with four days to spare as he hammered Rafael Nadal in straight sets, putting the Swiss closer to a record sixth trophy at the year-end tournament.

Ferrer calmly backed up his defeat of now-eliminated Murray as he decimated Djokovic in 75 minutes with four breaks of the Serb, who has had shoulder and abdominal problems in one form or another since September.

'All the credit to opponent, he played great match,' Djokovic said. 'This was the worst match I've played this season so far. I just wasn't there, so many unforced errors. I'm not playing well - that's a fact.

'Maybe it's the length of the season. Maybe it's because I'm not feeling well. Those days are possible in sport, and you have to accept the defeat.

'It's hard to find something (positive), ... movement, feel for the ball, anticipation on the court, nothing. Just a terrible, terrible match.'

The other two semi spots remain open, with Djokovic and Tomas Berdych the most likely chances from Group A, while Rafael Nadal and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga would be the top possibilities from Group B.

The fragile Djokovic, winner of 10 titles this season, had a 6-4 mark over Ferrer heading into the contest. But that mattered little to the delighted Spaniard.

'It was a surprise, I'm in the semi-finals, beating Andy Murray and Djokovic. I want to enjoy this moment,' Ferrer said. 'I don't want to think about the semi-final.'

The win was the third of Ferrer's career against a reigning number one player - after beating Andre Agassi in 2003 and Nadal this year at the Australian Open.

Berdych won a tight contest with tournament fill-in Janko Tipsarevic 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

The Czech saved a match point for Tipsarevic, a late replacement for injured Scot Murray, then scratched out the victory.

'One point, that's the best about the tennis,' said Berdych, who also had a match point in his opening loss against Djokovic. 'It's not over until the last ball is in the net. There is a good chance to play well on Friday and to have a good chance to qualify and go through. So we will see.'

Tipsarevic came to the court with a 4-1 lead over Berdych, but lost their last meeting only days ago in Paris.

Berdych saved a match point through a Tipsarevic backhand volley long and finally clinched the nail-biter on his first match point - from a Tipsarevic double-fault - as the Serb slipped on a return, wretched his knee and could not get up in time to reach a ball in the empty court.

Berdych goes into his final group match on the back of 28 winners and a single break of Tipsarevic in the struggle, lasting almost two and a half hours.

'I think my tennis is really, really good, and I'm experienced well from the last year,' said the optimistic Berdych. 'These matches are a bit different than regular tournaments. I'm enjoying to play, and I will keep fighting for try to go through.'

Read more about Great Britain