ATP World Tour Finals 2013 Day 4: Federer stays alive
Wimbledon.com's highlights from the fourth day of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena...
Federer still on the hunt
Roger Federer did what he had to keep alive his hopes of reaching the semi-finals of this year's season-ending finale, winning his 43rd match at the finals 6-4, 6-3 over Richard Gasquet.
"Richard does a good job of making you feel uncomfortable at the same time as well, because he uses heights [and] spins really well,” said Federer. “He likes extended rallies. I'm trying to force the issue. But I guess those are the kind of matches I need right now – straight sets against a good player."
Only once in his previous 11 years has Federer not advanced out of round robin play, which occurred in 2008 (1-2). Federer's final match against Juan Martin Del Potro on Saturday afternoon will be the decider, while Novak Djokovic will face Gasquet.
Djokovic pulls through to win his group
While Rafael Nadal was reaping the plaudits last night for his sensational return to the year-end No.1 ranking, his biggest rival of the moment, Novak Djokovic, gently reminded us of his capacity to perform at his best when under the radar. Wound up as tight as a ukelele's strings, Djokovic came through 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 over Juan Martin Del Potro.
It was his 69th match win of the season, and 19th win in a row.
"I saved two break points at the start of the third set," said Djokovic. "I had opportunities in that game at 3-2, used it. I just tried to make him play. I served very well towards the end of the match.
"He has one of the biggest serves in the sport. He has one of the most aggressive forehands. I just needed to stay tough."
Dodig & Melo reach last four
Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo qualified for the semi-finals of the doubles event after a 6-3, 3-6, 10-2 victory over eighth seeds and 2011 finalists Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski in 79 minutes, but they were forced to wait until the Bryans, the top seeds and three-time former titlists, saved one match point to come through a tense affair against Qureshi and Rojer 7-6(3), 1-6, 14-12 in one hour and 39 minutes.
"It was great today again," Dodig told BarclaysATPWorldTourFinals.com. "It was a tight match again. Every match here is open. We had a bit more luck in the Match Tie-break and we took it. We are looking forward to the next match."
The curious case of Rafa and the bread slicer
Spanish press was abuzz this morning with news that Rafael Nadal had accidentally cut his finger while slicing bread.
Coming up on Friday
Afternoon Session (12:00 GMT)
Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez v Leander Paes & Radek Stepanek
David Ferrer v Stanislas Wawrinka
Evening Session (18:00 GMT)
Alexander Peya & Bruno Soares v David Marrero & Fernando Verdasco
Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych
