Novak Djokovic set up a semi-final clash against Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals after a crushing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Andy Roddick on Friday.
Novak Djokovic set up a semi-final clash against Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals after a crushing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Andy Roddick on Friday.
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After Rafael Nadal's straight sets victory against Tomas Berdych earlier on Friday, Djokovic walked onto court at London's O2 Arena knowing he needed just one set to guarantee his place in the last four of the prestigious end-of-year event.
He achieved that aim in just 31 minutes and the Serbian third seed, who finished as Group A runner-up behind Nadal, secured his second victory in three matches with a dominant second set.
For Roddick, successive defeats in his previous two matches meant only a straight sets win against Djokovic would be enough for him to qualify and he never looked up for the challenge.
Djokovic has lost his last two meetings with Federer but he can take heart from a memorable US Open triumph over the Swiss star earlier this year.
"It's a big challenge for both of us. So I think it's great for the tournament to see us playing in the semi-final. It's going to be a great atmosphere," he said.
"My confidence since Wimbledon is very high. I've been playing very good tennis and made a lot of good results.
"Yes, the last two times I have lost against him, but they were close matches.
"It's going to come down to maybe a couple of points. I will try to step it up and take my chances and hope to prevail."
Roddick added: "Nights like tonight, it's a lonely place on court a lot of times. But that's the way sports is.
"I've been struggling physically for a while now. It's been a tough battle between trying to get healthy and finding the right balance between working and not getting hurt.
"The season probably came to an end at about the right time."
When Roddick had an early chance to take the initiative after winning a break point in the first game of the match, he allowed Djokovic to recover and hold serve.
That missed opportunity quickly came back to haunt him as Djokovic snatched the lead by breaking in the fourth game.
Roddick contributed to his own downfall by tamely directing a forehand well wide of the tramlines on break point. It was the kind of mistake that has occurred far too often for the American's liking this week.
Until an eye problem completely threw him out of sync, Djokovic had looked capable of upsetting Nadal in their match on Wednesday and the Serb, who arrived for the Roddick match wearing an eye patch in joking reference to that issue, was producing an equally vibrant display this time.
Djokovic was hitting his groundstrokes with far more power and precision than Roddick, who looked totally out of sorts.
The contrast between the two men was so stark that it was hardly a surprise when Djokovic broke again to clinch the set he needed to qualify.
Roddick, a three-time Wimbledon finalist, has enjoyed great days on court in London, but it is safe to say this one won't linger long in his memory.
Djokovic could sense his opponent's lethargy and pushed home his advantage by breaking serve after a Roddick double-fault in the fourth game of the second set.
Roddick was putting up so little fight that the 15,000 spectators must have been questioning their decision to brave the freezing weather to come to the O2.
At least Djokovic put them out of their misery soon enough as he served out the win in just one hour and five minutes.
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