Nadal beats Berdych on ATP World Tour

LONDON - Rafael Nadal qualified for the semifinals with the ATP World Tour Finals with a hard-fought 7-6 (3), 6-1 win more than Tomas Berdych on Friday. The top-ranked Spaniard advances as the Group A winner and will meet No. 5 Andy Murray, while Berdych is eliminated. Trailing 6-5 in the initial set, Nadal lost his cool momentarily and argued furiously using the chair umpire when Berdych was awarded a point that Nadal felt ought to are replayed. "There is no argument," Nadal said. "I am correct, but it's (a) mistake for him. But he is a fantastic umpire and everybody (tends to make) a mistake." The rare outburst only seemed to fire him up, as Nadal dominated the tiebreaker and lost only one much more game to improve his round-robin report to 3-0. "Doesn't change nothing, that point," said Nadal, who beat Berdych for the eighth straight time. "I think I still playing the same level before that point and after that point." Roger Federer's semifinal opponent will probably be made the decision later Friday when Andy Roddick plays Novak Djokovic. Roddick should win the match in two sets to prevent Djokovic from claiming second place in Group A. Nadal, meanwhile, remains on the right track to meet longtime rival Federer in what would be a dream last in the O2 Arena. Having lost all three matches on the same court last year, Nadal seems to be getting comfortable using the surface. "Finish the season winning all the matches in the group, three victories against top-eight players in probably the most difficult surface for me, is unbelievable now," Nadal said. "I'm very happy how I am playing, how I improved during the tournament." Berdych had impressed in a straight-set victory over Roddick on Wednesday and came out firing again against Nadal. The sixth-ranked Czech earned two break points in the second game of the match, but Nadal's serve got him out of trouble and the Spaniard did not face another break point in the match. Berdych got only 46 percent of his first serves in, but his forehand was a constant threat, and he took the opening set to a tiebreaker - but not before a tense moment. Berdych's backhand was called out by the umpire, but Nadal had already returned the ball in play. Berdych challenged the call, which confirmed the ball was actually in. The Czech player was then awarded the point. Berdych said later he thought Nadal had stopped playing to indicate the ball was out, and that the umpire was correct to give him the point. "The referee is probably scared of him and just let him to talk with him too long," Berdych said. "He was able to play. But every time when you just raise your hand, that means that you stop the play." Nadal was convinced it should have been replayed and ranted first at the umpire and then at another official sitting in the front row of the crowd, to no avail. He reluctantly returned to the baseline to serve at 15-30, and when a fierce forehand drew an error from Berdych, Nadal celebrated.

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