Federer routs rival Nadal

LONDON – No tears, no drama, no contest. The 26th episode of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s compelling rivalry turned out to be one of their most one-sided.
Federer took exactly 1 hour to win 6-3, 6-0 and qualify for the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday in his most comprehensive victory over the Spaniard.

Pinned behind the baseline, Nadal found Federer’s forehand unplayable. From 2-2 in the first set, Federer won 10 of the next 11 games. He finished with 28 winners to Nadal’s four.’It was a great match for me basically from start to finish,’ said Federer, who broke down in tears after losing to Nadal in the 2009 Australian Open final but had no issues on Tuesday at the O2 Arena. ‘I was able to do what I was hoping to do: dominate from the baseline, play close to the baseline, serve well, take his time away.’Jo-Wilfried Tsonga earlier kept alive his hopes of reaching the last four by beating Mardy Fish of the United States 7-6 (4), 6-1. Federer’s win means Fish cannot advance.The winner of today’s match between Tsonga and Nadal will claim the other semifinal place from Group B.’It’s not the moment to say goodbye,’ Nadal said. ‘It’s the moment to keep fighting. I’m still in the tournament.’Nadal still leads the head-to-head series against Federer 17-9, but Tuesday’s win extended the Swiss player’s dominance indoors, where he has won all four of their matches.Nadal, who had an upset stomach during his three-set win over Fish on Sunday, said he had been unable to practice on Monday because of a shoulder problem that he thought might end his tournament but he said he was in ‘perfect’ condition against Federer.’Today he played too good for me, and that’s what happened,’ Nadal said. ‘Just accept that.’There hadn’t been a 6-0 set between the two former No. 1s since Nadal routed Federer 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 to win the French Open final in 2008 for his 12th win on clay in the series.’Sometimes it just derails for you, like it derailed for Rafa today and it did for me at the French Open,’ Federer said. ‘Everything you try doesn’t work for the guy who is down; for the one who is up, he’s taking more and more chances, all of that is working.’Next thing you know, you’re facing a debacle.’The 30-year-old Federer, who is targeting a record sixth title at the season-ending event and a 70th overall, extended his winning streak to 14 matches following titles in Basel and Paris. He will play Fish in his final group match today. – Nampa-AP

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