World number two Rafael Nadal has booked the semifinals ticket at the Masters Cup after his Spanish fellowman David Ferrer overcame Frenchman Richard Gasquet in straight sets in the last round robin match in Shanghai on Thursday.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, in seek for his first ever trophy at the year-ending classic, was hardly tested by a horribly out-of-form Novak Djokovic before taking a convincing 6-4, 6-4 win for a 2-1 group record.
Ferrer, four years Nadal's senior, then came onto the court to blitz past Gasquet 6-1, 6-1 in only one hour, snapping the Frenchman's last hope of advancing and giving Nadal a hand.
"The important thing is win, so better if I win straight sets than three because my chance is a little bit more to go to the semifinals," said Nadal at the press conference.
"I am happy with my game today. I play very, very good match, the best match here and one of the best matches of the indoor season."
Djokovic, the popular Serbian who had early been eliminated from the semifinals after losing his first two matches in straight sets, meant to fight for his pride in his final match but still played below his best and went home from his first appearance at the year-end tournament without even winning a set.
"It wasn't my week, unfortunately I have to finish with the three losses, which is a bit disappointing," said Djokovic. "But of course, I don't want to think negatively. It's been an amazing year."
Nadal made a strong start, whipping backhand and forehand winners past Djokovic to go up 4-1 without dropping a point on serve in the opening set.
Djokovic finally showed signs of life in the sixth game, displaying a string of impressive winners before getting a lucky break.
The Serb, serving at 5-3 down, saved the first set point with an instinctive behind-the-back pick-up but collapsed in the next game.
In the second set, Nadal notched up early break in the third game after an unforced backhand error from the world number three on break point.
The pair then traded love-service games, but at 4-3 Djokovic looked set to stage a comeback after nearly breaking the three-time French Open champion in an epic eighth game.
Both men demonstrated why they were two of the most entertaining players on the ATP circuit in the eighth, with Nadal saving a break point thanks to a brilliant drop-shot and volley play and Djokovic then saving game point with an equally impressive backhand cross-court pass.
Serving at 5-4, the fully fired-up Spaniard converted on the first of two match points with a deep forehand down the line, raising his arms in celebration.
"I opened a new page. I try to think about something else right now. I need to get some good rest and then have soon the preparation for the next season," said Djokovic.
The youngest master among the eight-man field, the 20-year-old Djokovic had complained that the year's busy schedule and the consequent fatigue ruined his finale show and had vowed to cut it short next season.
Source: Xinhua
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