LONDON: Rafael Nadal’s growing domination of great rival Roger Federer continued with a comprehensive 7-5, 6-3 victory in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday.
The mid-afternoon clash was not one of the best in their 32-match series as Federer faded badly in the second set to hand Nadal his first victory over him on an indoor court.
Nadal was thrashed 6-3 6-0 by Federer at the o2 Arena two years ago but after a tight first proved too strong for the 32-year-old Swiss who looked weary after his three-set victory over Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday.
The year could now have a mouth-watering grand finale with Nadal up against defending champion and world number two Novak Djokovic on Monday although he would have to get past Swiss Stansilas Wawrinka in the second semifinal, which was scheduled for later.
Federer had the first chance on Sunday when he put the world number one in trouble on serve in the sixth game but Nadal held firm and broke Federer’s serve to lead 5-4.
The Swiss played a scintillating point at 15-30 in the next game, ending an exhausting baseline exchange when he rifled a forehand down the line and Nadal ballooned out a forehand to hand Federer the break back.
However, a third consecutive break of serve gave Nadal a second chance to take the opener and this time he made no mistake with a clinical love game.
When a Federer forehand nose-dived into the net on break point at 2-2 the belief seemed to drain out of the 32-year-old and the end came quickly as Nadal extended his career record over the 17-time grand slam champion to 22-10.
“It’s the perfect way to finish one of the best seasons of my career to have the chance to win a title I’ve never won,” Nadal, who has won everything in the sport apart from the season-ending tournament, said on court.
In a doubles semifinal, also on Sunday, David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco defeated Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo.
The all Spanish pair won in straight sets 7-6 (10), 7-5, although it was no easy contest.
The second semifinal, between Mike and Bob Bryan and Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares, was set to be held late on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in an inconclusive round-robin match on Saturday, Djokovic beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet in three sets 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3.
Gasquet found out on the eve of his final match that coach Riccardo Piatti decided to end their partnership without further notice.
Gasquet said Piatti abruptly told him he was leaving after more than two years working together.
Gasquet, who won three titles this season and reached the semifinals at the US Open, did not elaborate on his coach’s decision, saying it was for Piatti to explain his reasons.
Gasquet will keep working with part-time coach Sebastien Grosjean until he finds a replacement for Piatti. (Reuters)