ATP World Tour Finals 2010: Rafael Nadal defeats Tomas Berdych to move into semis
In an unbelievable performance of hardcore, adrenaline inducing, raw tennis and a temper flare up, the world number one systematically destroyed Tomas Berdych to set up a clash with Andy Murray in the semi-final. Nadal overcame a tough first set to defeat
Berdych 7 – 6, 6 – 1.
The top ranked player from Group A, Nadal will now face Andy Murray in the semi-finals, having won all of his matches in the round robin group stage. He only needed to win just one set to progress to the semi-finals; instead Nadal fired off one of the most
impressive performances of the tournament so far.
Trailing 6 – 5 in the first set, the world number one lost his temper at the chair umpire as he argued fiercely against a point which had been awarded to Berdych. Despite this rare outburst of rage, the Spaniard only got more pumped up as he dominated the
tie breaker and then only lost one more game before sealing the outcome of the match in his favour.
Roger Federer’s semi-final opponent will be decided on late Friday when Andy Roddick and Novak Dojokovic will battle it out in the expansive O2 Arena. Andy Roddick still has an outsider’s chance of making it to the semi-finals provided he defeats Novak Djokovic
in straight sets.
Tomas Berdych crashed out of the tournament after his defeat at the hands of Nadal. Despite braving the battering at the hands of Nadal, he still did not give up and fought for every point. It is a mark of Nadal’s sensational class that he beat Berdych on
every count. Berdych last met Nadal in the Wimbledon Championships' final and lost the match in straight sets. This loss to Nadal now takes their career head to head count to 8 wins for Nadal including the last seven consecutively, while 3 for Berdych.
Tomas Berdych won just one match in the season ending Championship as he defeated Andy Roddick in straight sets before duelling out with Nadal earlier today. The Czech got himself two break points in the second set which he was unable to convert, and eventually
handed over the match on a platter to the Spaniard who looks to be in devastating form.
Nadal lost all three of his matches in the last edition of the event, but it is a mark of his skills that he hasn’t let the memory of those get in the way of his current progress. Despite playing on a surface he is not accustomed to, he has proved his sublime
skills beyond doubt as he has bested all his adversaries in perfect style.
The Spaniard’s prospects of making it to the final are now inhibited by the Scotsman who has shown a surprisingly meek attitude on the prospect of facing Nadal in the semi-finals. That might have been due to the ruthless fashion in which Nadal has brushed
aside his opponents with his miraculous cross court shots.
The event is heralding forward towards a dream final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Federer, who has been in sublime form having defeated all his opponents without dropping a set, is looking for a record equalling fifth title at this prestigious
mini Grand Slam as it has affectionately come to be known. If his current form is any indication of his intentions, then both Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic will be shuddering at the prospects of facing the Swiss maestro in the semi-final. Who eventually
peaks and who doesn’t will only be found out on Friday evening, when Djokovic and Roddick battle it out centre stage, in the O2 Arena.
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