Roger Federer, world number one, got his quest for a fourth Tennis Masters Cup title back on track with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Nikolay Davydenko, and in doing so eliminated the Russian from the tournament in Shanghai.
Following Federer on court, American Andy Roddick became the first player to book a semi-final spot at the season-ending event after crushing Chile's Fernando Gonzalez 6-1, 6-4.
Federer, stunned by Gonzalez in his round-robin opener on Monday, was again below his best but he was still good enough to knock Davydenko out of the showcase eight-player tournament.
"It was a different situation coming back from losing," said the Swiss, who had never lost a round-robin match at the Masters Cup before being shocked by Gonzalez.
"Here you lose and you play another top 10 guy. This was a top-four guy so it doesn't get any easier. Anything can happen in the men's game.
"You're a little bit off, you're a little bit tired, you'll lose right away. But I create myself many, many opportunities so eventually I'll break through and I'll break their will."
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"It was a different situation coming back from losing."
Roger Federer,
world number one |
Federer, who has a 14-1 win/loss record against Roddick, must now defeat the American on Friday to avoid an early exit from the $4.45 million event.
With Swiss cow bells echoing around Qi Zhong stadium, Federer struggled to overcome an opponent he had beaten in all their previous 10 meetings.
Davydenko, who will play for Russia in the Davis Cup final starting later this month, already has plans for after his last Masters Cup match.
"I fly to the Maldives on Sunday for one week for a rest," said Davydenko, who this week won his appeal against a $2,000 fine for not trying hard enough during a match.
"The end of the season I was really tired physically and mentally."
Gonzalez suffered a letdown after his upset over Federer, with Roddick steam-rolling the Chilean in just 65 minutes to reach the semi-finals for the third time in four appearances.