“The Spaniard’s last choice would probably have been to lose a marathon”.
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Considering Djokovic had never lost to Berdych in 17 previous matches on hard courts, it was no surprise the contest went as it did, although, as in his defeat by Federer, the Serbian was somewhat lacklustre.
While defending champion Djokovic rested after completing his group campaign Thursday, Nadal slugged it out with Ferrer in a draining baseline battle that lasted two hours and 37 minutes.
It was a tricky situation for Nadal. By then, the former world number one had slowly but surely started to dictate the rallies.
But mentally, he wouldn’t enter the clash with the “positive” feelings he spoke of after seeing off two-time grand slam champions Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray in straight sets earlier in Group Ilie Nastase.
Nadal and Djokovic will play for the 46th time.
Nadal’s meeting with Ferrer may have been a dead rubber in tournament terms but the lure of £109,000 – the prize money on offer for every victory in the round-robin stage – meant that there was at least a financial incentive.
Murray was bidding to reach his 70th win and lock up the year-end No. 2 ranking for the first time.
I played a insane match against Roger in the semi-finals a year ago.
Federer was already assured of a 13th semifinal spot in 14 years at the season finale, so it was perhaps only natural his level would drop off as he squeaked past an inspired Kei Nishikori 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in a match full of twists and turns.
Nadal came out aggressive and connecting, zipping winners down the line, at the net and bludgeoning cross-court forehands.
The fifth seed must have thought it would be a straightforward afternoon when he broke serve twice to lead 3-0 in the opening set but it turned out to be anything but.
A blowout seemed like a possibility. “That’s what I’m going to try”, said Nadal afterwards.
He has won three lesser titles this year, but failed to progress past the last eight of any Grand Slam. The final set scores were 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. The topsy-turvy nature ensued, and Nadal had the set on his racket after breaking for 6-5.
Earning a set point after escaping a 0-40 hole, a short, looping Nadal forehand – the kind he had been offering up less and less during his recent revival – was punished by Ferrer. Per Sky Sports, the game took no less than 20 points to be completed.
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“It will be an interesting match”, Wawrinka said after beating Andy Murray in two tense sets on Friday night, “It was a insane match for sure”. However, Ferrer stayed doggedly in the fight and broke again to force a tie-break, which he took for the loss of two games. In a nearly 14-minute first game of the third – highlighted by a stunning lob from Ferrer that drew praise from his opponent – Nadal carved out five break points. The seventh game of the second set was over in the blink of an eye, as Ferrer couldn’t even find space to breathe, and following another double fault, Nadal finally grabbed a crucial break, setting him up to serve out the set.
