Rafael Nadal overcomes troubled Novak Djokovic in London
Rafael Nadal ended Novak Djokovic's hopes of progressing to the last four of the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday 24 November, overcoming the Serb 7–5 6–2 at London's O2 Arena.
The pair were evenly matched in the first set, but an eye problem caused Djokovic to struggle throughout the second as the Spaniard cruised to seal the win.
"I'm very sorry for Novak — I wish him all the best for his eyes," the world number one told reporters after the victory, his second in the tournament after beating Andy Roddick on Monday 22 November. "This was my best match in London. I'm
very happy — the first 10 games were very level but I'm just very happy with the two victories."
Djokovic opened strongly, holding to love before taking the world number one to a deuce in the second game. The Spaniard then had to defend a break point but dug himself out of trouble with an ace to level the standings at 1–1.
As the Serb continued to hold, Nadal looked like finding his rhythm on service before earning his first break of the match in the fifth game, which also went to a deuce.
Nadal's break point saw both players cover all parts of the court and ended in a thrilling rally by the net from which the Spaniard came out on top.
But Djokovic's form from his first-round thumping of Tomas Berdych continued as the Serb broke back straight away and then held to earn a 4–3 lead.
Djokovic troubled by eye problem
Before the eighth set, Djokovic needed treatment after one of his contact lenses slipped out of place. When the game resumed, Nadal held in impressive fashion before his opponent returned to the sidelines to treat his eye.
The world number three initially seemed unfazed by the problem, holding to love before Nadal fought back to 5–5 and broke in the 11th game to find himself serving for the set.
Djokovic could have broken Nadal's serve, but found the net with an easy shot to the crowd's disappointment. The Spaniard then won the set after pouncing in th third deuce.
With Djokovic looking troubled, Nadal broke to love in the first game of the second set and did so again in the third to earn a 4–0 lead after holding comfortably.
The Serb had some power left in him, though, as he converted an ace in the fifth game to hold – to the relief of the crowd.
The US Open finalist then tried to break as he approached the net at 4–1, but missed his smash before Nadal converted his to find himself one game away from the win.
And, after Djokovic claimed his second game of the final set, Nadal went up to 40–15 and completed the victory on his first match point.
The world number one will now face the Czech Republic's Berdych on Friday 26 November, while Djokovic takes on Roddick of the United States.
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