Tough nut Djokovic resists Del Potro, hope for Federer [View all]

[marmar]

LONDON (Reuters) - The hardest nut in men's tennis again proved resistant to the heaviest of sledgehammers as Novak Djokovic absorbed the brute force of Juan Martin del Potro to book his place in the last four of the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday.

Djokovic's elastic limbs propelled the Serb to a 6-3 3-6 6-3 Group B victory that leaves Del Potro to fight it out with Roger Federer for runner-up spot.

Federer, beaten by defending champion Djokovic in straight sets on Tuesday, got back on track with a morale-boosting 6-4 6-3 victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet who can no longer reach the semi-finals even if he beats Djokovic on Saturday.

The six-times former champion lost the opening six points and needed six match points to finish off Gasquet but looked more like his old majestic self as he produced some champagne moments for his legion of fans - one topspin lob to avert a break in the second set the shot of the day. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/tough-nut-djokovic-resists-del-potro-hope-federer-090447156--spt.html