Rafael Nadal beats David Ferrer at ATP World Tour Finals
Friday 20 November 2015 19:17, UK
Rafael Nadal beat David Ferrer 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-4 on Friday to make it three wins from three at the ATP World Tour Finals.
In quite possibly the best game at the O2 this year, both players were pushed to the limit - with the first game of the third set lasting a mammoth 13 minutes 57 seconds.
Ferrer came out on top in that one, but Nadal wore down his compatriot to head into Saturday's semi-final meeting with Novak Djokovic in fine form.
If Nadal hoped to conserve his energy ahead of his meeting with Djokovic, he soon realised he was in for a match when Ferrer came back from 3-0 down in the opening set to lead 5-4.
Ferrer looked more fluid, forging ahead in compete command - moving his opponent around before unleashing an emphatic forehand across court that flashed past a helpless Nadal.
Nadal still had a chance to serve for the set after breaking for a 6-5 lead, but he couldn't finish the job and Ferrer eventually won it in a tie-break.
The Spanish No 1 responded to losing his first set at this year's tournament by breezing through the second to level the match.
Nadal then failed to convert five break points in a near 14-minute marathon first game of the final set.
But there was still no sign of Nadal saving his body for the Djokovic match and his perseverance was rewarded when he broke at 4-4 to set up the win.
In the end he prevailed after a draining two hours and 37 minutes.
The sight of Nadal exerting himself will have made for enjoyable viewing for Djokovic, who said he would watch the match to get a glimpse of his semi-final opponent's form.
Nadal is relishing the challenge of facing the dominant top player in the men's game on Saturday afternoon.
Novak is achieving almost everything a player can achieve, so I congratulate him, and I know I'll have to play to my limit if I'm going to stand any chance.
"It was a great match, full of intense rallies," he said.
"It was very important for me to finish the season playing like this, playing against the best players in the world, and a big game tomorrow with the chance to compete against the world's number one.
"Novak is achieving almost everything a player can achieve, so I congratulate him, and I know I'll have to play to my limit if I'm going to stand any chance.
Live Tennis: ATP World Tour Finals
"It's been a tough year for me. But I always work hard and in the last five weeks I'm playing much better.
"I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow, but the last few weeks of this season are going to really help me next year."
Watch Rafael Nadal take on Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals from 2pm on Sky Sports 3.
