While it earned world number eight Nishikori another $167,000, the reward for a group win, it is likely to prove in vain unless he beats Federer in his final match and Berdych defeats Djokovic.
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Federer has now been responsible for three of Djokovic’s six defeats this season, edging ahead 22-21 in their career rivalry.
Djokovic hadn’t lost a match in his previous 23 outings since falling to Federer in the Cincinnati final on August 23.
Federer, meanwhile, will be delighted with his win, a victory which takes the pressure off for his final group match against Kei Nishikori on Thursday. Nishikori, 25, failed to convert two break-point chances in the fifth game, but eventually got broke his eighth-seeded opponent in the eleventh game, then hold his serve to win the first set 7-5 in just over an hour mark.
Djokovic will need to beat winless Tomas Berdych in straight sets to guarantee a semi-final place.
Meanwhile, Jamie Murray and John Peers have work to do to reach the semi-finals of the doubles after losing their second match.
Wawrinka made 35 unforced errors and was criticised by several pundits for his attitude.
“It’s going to be a really big challenge for me to play Roger”.
With Nishikori comfortable at 2-0 in the second, Berdych mustered the will to mount a comeback and will rue his break-point chance at 3-3 in the third.
“Once the match went on, I felt like, I’m with him, I’m serving well, could play better from the baseline maybe at times, but he was doing a good job there”. On a second set point, Djokovic failed to put away a smash, keeping Federer in the point.
It was the first time Federer had ever lost to his Swiss chum at a grand slam and he was unable to live with Wawrinka’s hefty game. “So I (will) try to recover well today and tomorrow, and I will get good tactics ready and try to play another good match”. It’s a great honour to play Roger.
It might seem unjust considering his glittering season – Djokovic fell to 79-6 – but he could be eliminated in the group stage on Thursday when he faces Tomas Berdych.
TWELVE months ago Roger Federer handed Novak Djokovic a walkover at this venue.
“To me Novak is still the favorite of the tournament”, he said. He’s still improving himself, playing great tennis even though he’s 34.
The question is, did Federer say that to mock Djokovic, whom he just beat in straight sets?
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Djokovic was beginning to click into gear in the last game of the match as his errors started to creep down but unfortunately for him the damage had already been done.
