Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, London

Singles Semifinal: [CR1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [CR5] Kei Nishikori (JPN)

Nishikori got off to a bad start and although he picked up his game in the second set, he could not sustain the level of play in third to complete the upset.  In fact he fell apart completely in the third set.  Although Djokovic gave him opportunities in the first game of the third set, Nishikori squandered them all.

Nishikori never regained his focus after those missed break chances and the doubts resurfaced.  Feeling anxious, he rushed his first service game and got broken.  Djokovic relieved not to have been broken in the first game, redoubled his concentration and showed no mercy as he ruthlessly dismantled Nishikori’s game in the third.

In the end it was an easy victory for Djokovic 6-1, 3-6, 6-0.  Losing the second set was a minor derailment of his plans and he was never concerned.   Djokovic moves on the final and he is confident that no one can beat him; however, if [CR2] Roger Federer (SUI) wins his match today, maybe he may have something to say about that.