Federer wins record sixth ATP Finals (AP)
LONDON (AP)His body already aching after a season of almost unceasing success
Novak Djokovic ran into a brick wall in David Ferrer. Ferrers relentless hitting proved too much for Djokovic on Wednesday
giving the fifth-seeded Spaniard a 6-3
6-1 win and a spot in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals. I think today maybe was my best match of the season
Ferrer said. The exact opposite was true for Djokovic. The winner of three Grand Slams and 10 titles overall this season looked far from the player who dominated most of 2011
and lost for only the fifth time this year. I just wasnt there
said Djokovic
who has won 70 matches this year. It was the worst match Ive played this season so far definitely. Starting when he was ahead 3-2 in the first set
the slumping Serb lost seven straight games He made 33 unforced errors
exactly three times as many as Ferrer. Djokovic can still advance to the semifinals if he beats fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic on Friday
but he isnt hopeful. If I dont play at least 50 percent better than I did tonight
I dont think Ill have any chance
he said. You always hope that tomorrow will bring something better. Thats the way Im thinking now. Tipsarevic
who stepped in for injured Scotsman Andy Murray
has no chance of reaching the last four after he was beaten in three sets by Tomas Berdych in Wednesdays earlier match. Berdych saved a match point en route to a 2-6
6-3
7-6 (6) win to maintain his hopes of progressing from Group A. Djokovic was dressed all in black for the evening match save for the flashes of gold on his shoes
while Ferrer wore a more traditional white outfit
but it was the Spaniards tennis that dazzled the crowd at the O2 Arena. Ferrers energetic retrieving around the baseline appeared to sap the belief from Djokovic
who spent much of the second set shooting pained looks at his support camp or shrugging his shoulders in despair. When Djokovic blazed a forehand wide and long to give Ferrer the match in 1 hour and 15 minutes
it was the Spaniards turn to shrug his shoulders
as if in disbelief. It was a surprise
no? said Ferrer
who also beat Murray in straight sets in his opening match and joined Roger Federer in qualifying for the semifinals with a match to spare. Ferrers win followed another surprisingly one-sided match between Federer and Rafael Nadal on Tuesday evening. Federer won 6-3
6-0 and both Djokovic and Nadal lost 10 of the last 11 games in listless performances. Nadal said he thought on Monday that he might have to withdraw from the tournament with a shoulder problem. Murray did pull out on Tuesday with a groin injury. With Federer the only one of the top 4 players without any health issues
the debate about the length of the season is set to continue. Its a subject that needs to be discussed in the future
Djokovic said. I think the people in the ATP are willing to help. Its going to be a long process. Berdych had lost his opening match against Djokovic despite holding a match point
but he turned the tables in Wednesdays afternoon match when Tipsarevic put a difficult volley just wide when leading 6-5 in the deciding tiebreaker. I was a bit unlucky on Monday. I got luckier here
Berdych said. So
you know
1-all. Tipsarevic double-faulted for only the second time to give Berdych his first match point
and the Serb slipped on the baseline to allow Berdych to put away a forehand winner. Tipsarevic said his knee was hurting after his fall
but he didnt expect second alternate Nicolas Almagro to be called into action for Fridays match against Djokovic. Well see whats going to happen when I cool off
Tipsarevic said. But my feeling now is that I will be ready for practice tomorrow afternoon.