Djokovic sets up showdown with Nadal in semis of year-end event

“When somebody’s doing like this, just the only thing I can do is congratulate him and just wish not the best of luck for the next year”, Nadal told reporters, smiling. You feel fresh. In terms of motivation for me, it’s great to see myself competing against the best already and competing well. “[On] the other hand, I played an awesome first match”.

Last year, when there were three debutants at the World Tour Finals, it was hailed as a sign that change was in London’s cool autumn air.

Djokovic had to battle through his share of tense moments, but in each stanza he picked up steam to seal his 6-3, 7-5 victory.

“If it itches too much, I’ll take it off”, said Federer, who will now face Murray last on Saturday in the event that the Scot can take care of Stan Wawrinka today.

Friday afternoon’s audience at the O2 Arena could be thankful for Rafael Nadal’s superhuman competitive drive, which rather overcame his own self-interest as he spent 2hr 37min grinding out his third pool win of the week.

It was always going to be a tall order for Berdych to claim the straight-sets win he needed to edge out Djokovic – the Czech had won two of 22 matches against the Serb, and none of 17 on hard courts.

Faced with that sudden barrage, Djokovic responded in typically combative fashion and gradually wore down Berdych, breaking for a 6-5 lead before serving out the win.

And there were no alarms for the world number one, who triumphed 6-3 7-5 to set up a clash with Rafael Nadal on Saturday.

“In the end it was a really close match”, Nishikori said.

“He has played great in his first couple of matches and hopefully I will be able to play my best”.

Roger Federer celebrates a point against Kei Nishikori in the ATP World Tour Finals.

The Serb, a victor of three Grand Slam titles this year, wasted little time achieving that goal as he took the first set to ensure he would finish second in the group behind Federer and eventually eased to victory in 89 minutes.

However, when Federer downed Djokovic on Tuesday, the Swiss maestro looked like he had downed tools (in this case his razor) for a few days, and it certainly didn’t go unnoticed.

“I do think that a lot of the guys who are around now are extremely good tennis players, so I think they deserve the respect for getting back here most years”, said Murray, when asked what was lacking among the next wave. “Theres (ranking) points on the line and prestige, wanting to beat Kei, winning at the O2. Option one is “that the players that are here are very good, and the other option is the new generation needs more time”. It was a break at love for the Swiss as a devastating cross-court forehand victor followed by a stunning backhand which punished the world number eight’s second serve. “I don’t know yet”.

The world No. 1 is playing the best tennis of his career.