Tennis: Nikolay Davydenko Reaches Semifinal Round of ATP World Finals
Nikolay Davydenko of Russia secured the last semifinal spot at the ATP World Tour Finals by beating Robin Soderling of Sweden 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-3 Friday, knocking defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia out of the tournament.
Davydenko, Djokovic and Soderling each finished with two victories in the round-robin phase, but Djokovic was eliminated on sets. Soderling had already clinched advancement and finished at the top of Group B in the tournament in London.
Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal of Spain 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 earlier in the day, handing Nadal his third consecutive loss at the tournament.
Davydenko plays against top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland in today's first semifinal match.
Soderling, who entered the tournament as an alternate after American Andy Roddick pulled out because of injury, will take on U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina later in the day in a matchup of big hitters.
"He's probably very confident now, beating Roger yesterday," Soderling said del Potro. "So I have to step it up at least one level from today's match. But I think I can do it. I played good this whole week."
Djokovic entered the tournament on a 10-match winning streak and said, "I'm exhausted from the season."
