London // Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer’s hopes of finishing a disappointing season on a high note on Sunday, defeating the six-time champion 7-5, 6-3 last night in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals.
It was Nadal’s first win over his old rival on an indoor hard court and his 22nd in 32 matches overall. Nadal has now beaten Federer on every surface.
The Spaniard is bidding to win the elite year-end event for the first time. He will face either Novak Djokovic or Swiss debutant Stanislas Wawrinka in Monday’s final at London’s O2 Arena.
“It is the perfect way to finish the season, and it is probably one of my best seasons,” said Nadal, who reclaimed the No 1 spot this year after coming back from a knee injury in February.
“In a tournament where I have lost before and have not had the most luck in, it is great.”
Federer, who has been hampered by a back injury this season, has won only one title over the past 14 months.
He played aggressively early on but faded after losing the first set, making too many mistakes to threaten the Spaniard.
Nadal and Federer treated the O2 Arena fans to some superb exchanges early on, reminiscent of the classic matches that have punctuated their nine-year rivalry.
But Nadal was much sharper on the important points, converting all four break points he earned, while Federer hit 32 unforced errors and some poor volleys.
“I struggled to stay consistent throughout the match,” Federer said.
The Swiss, 32, who beat Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday to qualify for the semi-finals while Nadal had a rest day, also looked tired towards the end. Federer missed an early chance when he failed to convert three break points in the sixth game before Nadal took advantage of his first opportunity to break for 5-4 with a superb forehand winner.
Federer sent the crowd in rapturous cheers as he broke back immediately after winning a long rally with a forehand down the line and Nadal netted a shot.
But Federer could not build on the momentum and dropped his serve in the next game before Nadal closed out the set.
The Swiss then struggled with his rhythm and was broken twice in the second set, with Nadal sealing the victory when Federer sent a volley long.
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