ATP World Tour Finals: Days 5-6

Group A
T. Berdych d. D. Ferrer 3-6 7-5 6-1
J. Tipsarevic d. N. Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-3

Group B
R. Federer d. M. Fish 6-1 3-6 6-3
J. Tsonga d. R. Nadal 7-6(2) 4-6 6-3

As befitting a year-end tournament with all of the best players in the world duking it out, the last couple of days to qualify for those four semifinal spots were full of matches that went the distance. Federer already qualified for one of those semifinal spots, but he maintained perfection by taking out Fish (0-3 record) in three sets. Tsonga was able to gut out a win over an admittedly uninspired Nadal to join Federer.

In the other group, the underdogs made good. Berdych and Tipsarevic notched wins bettering their lopsided losing records against their respective opponents Ferrer and Djokovic. By virtue of those wins, Berdych and Ferrer move on over the two Serbians meaning Djokovic's amazing year ends with two consecutive losses. No complicated math this year with the four players who won two or more matches move through.

Semifinal Preview

R. Federer [4] v. D. Ferrer [5]
J. Tsonga [6] v. T. Berdych [7]

It's not the dream semifinal lineup that we got last year, but it just goes to show that apart from Federer stepping up his game at the last tournament of the year, nothing in tennis is a sure thing.

Speaking of Federer, he will end the year ranked #4 unless he wins his next match against Ferrer. Ferrer's form has been crazy good so far, but Federer should take some comfort wit his 11-0 H2H record against he Spaniard. The match-up between Berdych and Tsonga will prove to be the more nailbiting one with the Czech getting the only win in the one match they've played previously just last month at Beijing. If Federer does win, apart from ending the year in the top 3, he will contest for his 70th title in his 100th ATP final. But that's putting the cart before the horse, let's see what tomorrow brings first.