Federer, Tsonga reach London semis as Nadal crashes out

By Bill Scott Nov 25, 2011, 0:07 GMT

London - Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga claimed semi-final places on Thursday at the ATP World Tour Finals as Rafael Nadal was sent on his way after failing in a must-win match.

Federer, the form player of the autumn, beat Mardy Fish for the seventh time in eight meetings, sending the American home winless in Group B with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 result.

Tsonga defeated Nadal 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 6-3 to knock the Spaniard out of final-four contention. In Group A, Spain's David Ferrer is already through with one more place to be decided on Friday at the season wrap-up with number one Novak Djokovic among the contenders.

Tsonga was broken while serving for victory against Nadal, but retaliated by breaking the Spaniard back to love a game later to take victory after nearly two and three-quarter hours.

Nadal will now move onto Seville for next weekend's Davis Cup final against Argentina.

Federer ended his week with three group wins and stands heavy favourite to defend his year-end title.

'I definitely struggled a little bit more today, but I thought that was more due to the circumstances,' said the Swiss number four, who is poised to move back to third at the expense of Andy Murray, who withdrew with a groin strain.

'I'm happy I was able to win today just because of momentum for the semis in a couple of days. I hope to make it a nice weekend, it's wonderful to have won all three matches in the group.'

Federer has won the year-ender five times, including London in 2010.

He set another minor record with his 37th career match win at the year-end tournament, putting him one ahead of Boris Becker. Ivan Lendl is the all-time leader with 39.

'I'm surprised how well it's gone always at the finals level for me because these are maybe almost the toughest and most dangerous matches to play during the year,' said the winner.

'It's best of three, against fellow top 10 players indoors where a few shots usually do decide the outcome of the match,' he continued.

Fish leaves with a 0-3 mark after starting with a groin injury. The 29-year-old gave Federer a minor fright by winning the second set before the 16-time Grand Slam winner regained total control.

'I feel like I competed well, I don't think I necessarily played particularly well,' said the American. 'I come in with a couple more matches, maybe a little more fit and healthy ... who knows, maybe I win a match or two, maybe I don't.

'I lost to a guy today who was playing very well. But it was a close match.'

Federer went through in an hour and three-quarters with 28 winners and four breaks of Fish, who out-aced the Swiss 10 to seven.

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