Nadal reaches Masters Cup semis as Ferrer wins

SHANGHAI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Three-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal has booked the semifinals ticket at the Masters Cup after his Spanish fellowman David Ferrer overcame Frenchman Richard Gasquet in straight sets in the last round robin match here on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Spaniard, in seek for his first ever title at the year-ending classic, was not hardly tested by a horribly out-of-form Novak Djokovic before taking a convincing 6-4, 6-4 win for a 2-1 group record.

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Novak Djokovic of Serbia during men's singles competition at the ATP Masters Cup in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 15, 2007. Rafael Nadal won the match 6-4, 6-4. (Xinhua Photo)

Ferrer, four years Nadal's senior and a close friend of the world No. 2, then came onto the court to blitz past eighth-seeded Gasquet 6-1, 6-1 in only one hour, snapping the Frenchman's last hope of advancing.

His win guaranteed Nadal to join him in the knockout stages from the Gold Group.

American Andy Roddick had become the first man to reach the semifinals the previous evening, while world number one Roger Federer is hot favorite to claim the final spot in Friday's Red Group action.

Fernando Gonzalez is also capable of advancing from the group if he beats Nikolay Davydenko and if Roddick eliminates Federer by beating the three-time champion.

Sixth-seeded Ferrer seemed to be in supreme shape as he improved his Shanghai record to 3-0 in his debut, including upsetting world number three Djokovic in the opening match and number two Nadal in the second match.

Spain's David Ferrer celebrates his victory over French Richard Gasquet during men's singles competition at the ATP Masters Cup in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 15, 2007. Ferrer won the match 6-1, 6-1. (Xinhua Photo)

"I didn't expect to reach the semifinals but I'm playing with a lot of confidence and I'm improving every match," Ferrer said.

"To win the Masters is a dream. I'm just thinking about the next match. Getting to the semifinals is already a big achievement."

Ferrer, the revelation of the tournament, was broken in the opening game but was otherwise flawless in the first set, netting 12 winners against Gasquet as he broke three times before serving out.

Gasquet, wilting in the face of Ferrer's near-perfect tennis, held serve only once in the match as the Spaniard repeatedly pounded the lines, converting his first match point in just 59 minutes.

Djokovic, the popular Serbian who had early been eliminated from the semifinals after losing his first two matches in straight sets, meant to fight for his pride in his final match but still played below his best and went home from his first appearance at the year-end tournament without even winning a set.