Nadal advances to ATP semi-finals

LONDON (AP):

Rafael Nadal qualified for the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour finals with a hard-fought 7-6 (3), 6-1 win over Tomas Berdych yesterday.

The top-ranked Spaniard advanced as the Group A winner and will meet No. 5 Andy Murray, while Berdych is eliminated.

Trailing 6-5 in the first set, Nadal lost his cool momentarily and argued furiously with the chair umpire when Berdych was awarded a point that Nadal felt should have been replayed.

"There is no argument," Nadal said. "I am right, but it's (a) mistake for him. But he is a great umpire and everybody (makes) a mistake."

The rare outburst only seemed to fire him up, as Nadal dominated the tiebreaker and lost only one more game to improve his round-robin record to 3-0.

"Doesn't change nothing, that point," said Nadal, who beat Berdych for the eighth straight time. "I think I still playing the same level before that point and after that point."

Nadal, meanwhile, remained on track to meet long-time rival Federer in what would be a dream final at the O2 Arena. Having lost all three matches on the same court last year, Nadal seemed to be getting comfortable with the surface.

"Finish the season winning all the matches in the group, three victories against top-eight players in probably the most difficult surface for me, is unbelievable now," Nadal said. "I'm very happy how I am playing, how I improved during the tournament."

Berdych had impressed in a straight-set victory over American Andy Roddick on Wednesday and came out firing again against Nadal.

The sixth-ranked Czech earned two break points in the second game of the match, but Nadal's serve got him out of trouble and the Spaniard did not face another break point in the match.

Berdych got only 46 per cent of his first serves in, but his forehand was a constant threat, and he took the opening set to a tiebreaker - but not before a tense moment.

Berdych's backhand was called out by the umpire, but Nadal had already returned the ball in play. Berdych challenged the call, which confirmed the ball was actually in. The Czech player was then awarded the point.