Djokovic rallies past Berdych in ATP Tour
LONDON — Novak Djokovic saved a match point in the third set against Tomas Berdych before winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) Monday to avoid becoming the second upset of the day at the ATP World Tour Finals.
Third-ranked Andy Murray struggled through an earlier 6-4, 7-5 loss to David Ferrer with a groin injury he fears could end his tournament. Murray said he would decide Tuesday whether he will pull out.
“If it wasn’t Slams or this event, I wouldn’t have played,” Murray said.
Djokovic, who has been nursing a shoulder problem, withstood some spectacular hitting by the seventh-seeded Berdych, who had a point to win the match at 6-5 in the decider but put a forehand into the net.
Berdych collapsed in the tiebreaker and a relieved Djokovic took his 2011 win-loss record to 70-4.
“I wasn’t very satisfied with my performance tonight,” Djokovic said. “I know I wasn’t playing on top of my game.”
The day’s events appeared to provide visible evidence of why the top players want the season to be shortened.
Djokovic’s stellar season has been blighted by injury of late, and the Serb made a slow start against Berdych before winning in 2 hours, 38 minutes. The winner of three Grand Slams this year just about remained on track for an 11th title of the year.
Murray was pessimistic about his chances of playing on but said it would be “really gutting” to have to withdraw. If he decides to continue, he will face Berdych on Wednesday, otherwise reserve player Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia will replace him.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the other members of the top four alongside Djokovic and Murray, have both recently taken breaks to rest their aching bodies.
Nadal struggled with sickness in his opening win over Mardy Fish but came through in three sets, while defending champion Federer also went the distance against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Nadal and Federer squared off late last night for the 26th time. Nadal leads the head-to-head 17-8. The result of the match was not yet available as of press time. /ap
