It’s tough in the ATP World Tour Finals. If unprepared or a little bit hurt, even the greatest players in the world can find themselves humiliated.
On Tuesday, it was Rafael Nadal at the hands of Roger Federer. And Wednesday, Novak Djokovic — the world No. 1 who is trying to finish off one of the greatest years any player has enjoyed — found himself totally outplayed by Spain’s David Ferrer, 6-3, 6-1.
Djokovic looked bewildered afterward. “All credit to my opponent, but you know I wasn’t there,” said the man who suffered only his fifth defeat in 75 matches this year. “I was terrible. It was the worst match I have played this season so far. So many unforced errors (33 in total). I’m just not playing well. That’s a fact.”
To balance that statement, one has to point out that Ferrer, as industrious and persistent a performer as you will find on the tour, played brilliantly.
“This was my best match this year,” said the man from Valencia who has assured himself of a place in the semifinals, which is something Djokovic and Nadal have yet to do.
Federer could have said the same thing the previous evening. Both he and Ferrer refused to be put off by the talent across the net and just went for broke. You sort of expect that from Federer when he gets on an indoor court, but Ferrer, basically, is a clay-court specialist — although he has proved his worth on faster surfaces over the years, reaching the semifinals of the Miami Masters in 2005 and 2006. And he followed that by reaching the final of this event when it was played in Shanghai in 2007.
“That was my best tournament,” he said of Shanghai. “But I have had big wins before, too. I beat Andre Agassi when he was No. 1 in Rome (in 2003), and I beat Rafael Nadal when he was No. 1 (at the 2011 Australian Open). But this is special. I felt good before the match and played very well. I am serving better now than when I lost to Novak in the past.”
Ferrer certainly gave Djokovic little opportunity to get into his rhythm. He broke to lead 4-3 in the first set and then broke again to close it out when the harassed Serb netted a volley. Ferrer puts pressure on opponents just by getting everything back, but there were some penetrating winners Wednesday that stretched Djokovic and forced the Serb into uncharacteristic errors.
Djokovic now finds himself in the strange position of having to beat an alternate — who just happens to be one of his best friends — on Friday if he wants any chance of qualifying for Saturday’s semifinals. Djokovic will face Davis Cup teammate Janko Tipsarevic, but even with a victory, his tournament life will depend on the match between Ferrer and Tomas Berdych.
Earlier Wednesday, Tipsarevic got so close to winning his first ever ATP finals match when he stepped into the injured Andy Murray’s shoes to play Berdych.
Berdych, who had squandered match point against Djokovic on Monday, eventually squeaked through 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) — but not before he saved a match point himself at 5-6 in the tiebreak. Tipsarevic should have won the match. Coming in behind a good approach to the Czech’s backhand, he had a backhand volley all lined up and put it 3 inches wide. Berdych then moved ahead 7-6 and got a little lucky as Tipsarevic slipped and fell heavily as he chased a winning return. He bruised his knee but insists he will be fit to play Djokovic on Friday.
