Lost But Advance to Semi-finals

Roger Federer wipes sweat when he plays against Juan Martin del Potro

Both Roger Federer and Robin Soderling lost in their last match of their group but they progress to the semi-final of ATP World Tour Finals. Both topped the group with 2 points. Federer failed to revenge his loss to Juan Martin del Potro in US Open 2009 final as he was conquered 2-6, 7-6 (5), and 6-3, while Soderling was defeated by Nikolay Davydenko 6-7 (4), 6-4, and 3-6.

Del Potro's Win Knocks Murray Out

In the group A, following Andy Murray's 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) victory over Fernando Verdasco this afternoon, the only scenario that could see Murray miss out was a del Potro win in three sets.

That would then see the three players tied on match wins and sets won and lost, with the semi-finalists decided on percentage of games won.

And it all came down to one game, with Federer winning the group and del Potro pipping Murray courtesy of his 45 games won to 43 lost, while the Scot's record read 44-43.

"I knew if I won the match then there was only one way I couldn't go through, and that was del Potro winning in three sets and then I think it would go down to the games won," Murray said after the match.

"I just had to focus on winning and then there's a very slim chance of me going out."

Unfortunately for Murray, that slim chance proved to be the reality as Del Potro won the final set with the only score that would put Murray out - 6-3.

Federer said: "There are certain rules and these are the rules. Sometimes unfortunate, sometimes fortunate.

"This time they're very hard for Murray, who didn't get through, but he got so close. How can we imagine that we all play three sets and it comes down to a couple of games?"

World Number Two in the Bottom of Group B

In the Group B, world number two Rafael Nadal as he went down 6-7 (5), 3-6 to Novak Djokovic. Nadal, suffered back injury in the second set, exits the tournament without having won even one set.

Meanwhile, Djokovic, who was successful in Paris Masters and Basel by beating Nadal and Federer in the finals, did not qualify to the semi-final. The Serb's game percent was worse than Soderling's and Davydenko's.

Federer vs. Davydenko and Soderling vs. del Potro in Semi-finals

Davydenko will set up a semi-final clash with the four-times Tennis Masters Cup champion Federer today. He is hopeful to beat Federer. But his head-to-head against Federer is bad. He never won a match against the world number one for their 12 meetings. Moreover, Federer has won 14 straight sets against Davydenko.

In the night session, Group B winner Soderling will take on del Potro. Soderling, who play in the ATP World Tour Finals because he replaces world number six Andy Roddick who withdrew, tied 1-1 with del Potro in their winning record.

Group A Final Standings

1. (1)Roger Federer 2-1
2. (5)Juan Martin del Potro 2-1
3. (4)Andy Murray 2-1
4. (7)Fernando Verdasco 0-3

Group B Final Standings

1. (8)Robin Soderling 2-1
2. (6)Nikolay Davydenko 2-1
3. (3)Novak Djokovic 2-1
4. (2)Rafael Nadal 0-3

* () = seed

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picture by reuters