Federer back on track with victory over Gasquet
LONDON: Novak Djokovic joined Rafael Nadal as a guaranteed semifinalist at the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Argentine Juan Martin del Potro late on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Serb absorbed some brutish attacks from Del Potro before stretching away in the deciding set to earn himself a second victory in Group B.
Del Potro now faces a shoot-out with Roger Federer on Saturday to see which of them will join defending champion Djokovic in the last four of the year-ender.
Earlier Federer beat Richard Gasquet in straight sets to get off the mark after losing his opening match to Djokovic.
Nadal is already assured of a semi-final berth having won both his Group A matches, sealing the year-end world number one ranking in the process.
Federer got back to winning ways with a 6-4 6-3 defeat of Gasquet to keep alive his last-four chances.
Under pressure after losing to title favourite Novak Djokovic in his opening Group B match, the six-time former champion looked much more like his old, majestic self as he extended his career record over Gasquet to 11-2.
There were still the kind of lapses that have hampered the Swiss during a fallow season and nerves at the end when Gasquet saved five match points but Federer wrapped up victory and will face del Potro on Saturday with high hopes.
“I guess those are the kind of matches I need right now. You know, straight sets against a good player. It clearly came at the right time right now,” Federer, who has only one title this year but collected the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award, as well as the ATP fans’ favourite and Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship award this week, told reporters.
“Richard has an incredible playing style and is a dangerous shot-maker,” Federer, who qualified for the year-ending showdown for the 12th consecutive year, said on court.
“There was pressure after losing my first one. It was a big win for me and I hope now to keep it up against Juan Martin.”
Meanwhile, in the early match on Friday, Stanislas Wawrinka defeated a weary David Ferrer.
The Swiss won 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-1 to claim a second victory on his debut appearance at the event. (Reuters)