Soderling in semis

LONDON : Swede Robin Soderling became the first qualifier for the semi-finals at the ATP World Tour Finals yesterday when he battered world number three Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-1 for his second major shock of the tournament.

Soderling, only competing in the elite year-end showpiece at London's O2 Arena after Andy Roddick's injury-enforced withdrawal, backed up his opening Group B win over Rafael Nadal with another magnificent display of power and precision.

"I won two matches in straight sets against the world number two and number three. I couldn't have asked for anything more," he said.

"So far I'm enjoying it a lot. But there's still at least two more matches to go. I hope to do really well in those two, as well.

"I will focus on my next match before the semis. Then I have to win two more matches against great players (to win the tournament)."

Djokovic has played almost 100 matches on tour this year, including his three-hour victory over Nikolay Davydenko in his opening round-robin match in Group B here on Monday, and it showed as he appeared to throw in the towel in the second set.

The Serb, winner of the tournament 12 months ago when it was held in Shanghai, barely had enough energy afterwards to answer questions about his defeat and he will have to pick himself up quickly for his final round-robin match against Nadal which will decide whether or not he joins Soderling in the semis.

"I didn't enjoy playing today's match, that's for sure," Djokovic, who made 24 unforced errors and hit just six baseline winners in the match, told reporters. "I'm just fatigued from the whole season.

"He had nothing to lose today. I think it's his first Masters Cup. He won four straight sets and absolutely deserved to qualify for the semi-finals. I think he's the best player so far in the tournament."

Since his stunning victory over four-times champion Nadal at the French Open and subsequent run to his first Grand Slam final in which he was beaten by Roger Federer, Soderling has proved once again that he belongs in the world's top 10. Agencies