体坛英语资讯：Nadal, Federer to meet in final clash ATP Finals

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal from Spain and world No. 2 Roger Federer will play a showdown on Sunday as Federer eased past Novak Djokovic in straight sets after Nadal edging out British top ace Andy Murray through tiebreak in the deciding set on Saturday.

Federer, 29 only needed 80 minutes to send off the Serbian world No. 3 6-1, 6-4, setting up an encounter with Nadal who won the first semifinal 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) against hard fought Murray.

"He was on top of his game," Djokovic made his comments on Federer whom he defeated in the semifinals of this year's U.S. Open. "I think he was playing unbelievable from the first moment. He deserved to win. He was the better player today."

Federer, winning all three matches in Group B without losing a set, gave an early blow to Djokovic as he broke in the second game to lead in 2-0.

The 16-time Grand Slam title winner then broke again in the sixth game to take a 6-1 win in the first set after 33 minutes.

The 23-year-old Djokovic started the second set strongly as he broke in the second game. But after Federer managed to take on back in the fifth game, Djokovic gradually lost his patience to contend against the Swiss and conceded a service game again in the ninth game.

"I think this is definitely one of the best tennis he has played throughout the whole year," said Djokovic who will compete in the Davis Cup final next week before ending his season.

Federer, going to play Nadal the first time since he lost to the Spaniard in the final of Madrid Masters this May, didn't think his archrival would be bothered for a three hour and 11 minutes fight in the first semifinals Saturday afternoon.

"We'll both come out and give our very, very best. After this, we have a long break. So it doesn't matter if you

hurt yourself much because you get a big rest," said Federer expecting his 22nd clash with Nadal who beat him 14 times previously.

Nadal, 24, edged Murray 7-5 in the tiebreak of the first set, then lost to his aggressive opponent 6-3 in the following set. The duo fought hard in the deciding set with each one broke once, but the Spaniard managed to came from 3-0 down to win the tiebreak again in 8-6.

It's the first time that Nadal reached the final of the season finale while Federer triumphed four times in this year-ending tournament.