London: World number one Novak Djokovic's outside chance of making it to the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals vanished on Friday when Tomas Berdych beat David Ferrer 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 on Friday. Djokovic would still have crept into the last-four through the back door had Ferrer beaten Berdych.
After staring elimination in the face, Berdych ended up winning Group A and thus avoided a semi-final against holder and red hot favourite Roger Federer. The Czech will take on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the charismatic Frenchman who sent Nadal packing on Thursday, in one semi-final while Ferrer's punishment for letting Berdych off the hook is a clash with the unbeaten Federer.
Djokovic's exit means three of the world's top four failed to survive the group stage, although in Murray's case he withdrew after one match here because of a groin injury.
The seventh-seeded Czech, Berdych, rallied from a set and a break down to win the second set 7-5.
Ferrer, who had already qualified for the semis by winning his first two matches, then offered little resistance in the third as Berdych raced out to a 5-0 lead before clinching the victory with a forehand volley.
"When I (won) the second set, it just gave me a lot of confidence, energy," Berdych said. "I started to feel really great on court."
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