London (AFP)
The Swiss Roger Federer, N.3 world, overcame his nemesis Novak Djokovic (6-4, 6-3) Thursday at the London Masters and qualified for his 16th semifinal in this event.
This defeat eliminates the Serb, N.2 world, which will not be able to exceed Rafael Nadal in the ATP rankings this year. The Spaniard is sure to finish the season on the highest step of the world rankings.
It was four years ago, almost to the day, that Federer did not raise his arms after a match against "Djoko".
But on Thursday, he did not let slip the opportunity to take the best of a Serb who seemed dulled by his fight of three sets and 2 h 46 (lost 6-7, 6-3, 7-6) against the Austrian Dominic Thiem, the other qualified for the last group square "Björn Borg" Tuesday.
Federer's statistics in the first set make things dizzy: 86% of first balls, 8 aces, and only 3 points left on the way, he was unplayable on his service.
Aggressive, precise, constantly taking the initiative, he obviously took some ideas of the match between Thiem and Djokovic, which he had the opportunity to dissect.
The Serb, he fell in the same early in the game against the Austrian, being too much of a wait on his throw.
He made two commitments to realize it, but it was already too late, since he had lost his service at 1-1 on a shutout, including two double faults.
If he was then more aggressive in the exchange, the Swiss, who won his last three sets in the game by the white games, concluded on ace and in 36 minutes the first act (6-4 ).
Less successful then, Federer had to fight to repel the onslaught of his rival early in the second set, saving even a break point to 1-2.
On the next game, he got three break points and took Djokovic's service on the second, never to let go. Even offering the luxury of winning the last two games without losing a point.
© 2019 AFP