Intro:

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-5, 6-3 on Sunday (10th November) to remain on track for a first ATP World Tour Finals title.

Script:

The semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals got underway in London on Sunday.

First up on court, Spanish duo David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco took on Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo, in the first of the men's doubles semi-finals.

And it was the Spaniards who edged the first set after a marathon tie-break.

The pair grabbed a 7-6, 7-5 win to book their place in the final.

Next up, it was the turn of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to battle for a place in the final.

With the Swiss player looking tired following his three-set win over Juan Martin Del Potro barely 24 hours earlier, Nadal was ruthless at exploiting any chinks in his armour.

The Spaniard broke him in the ninth game of the opening set, hammering down a brutal forehand at the end of a punishing rally to take a 5-4 lead.

He went on to capture the set 7-5, with another blistering forehand ace on set point.

Federer still showed glimpses of his best form - a top-spin loaded forehand at the start of the second set reminding Nadal what he was up against.

But his challenge faded , the Spaniard strode on to take the match 7-5 6-3 and book a place in the final.