Nadal on brink of Shanghai semis after Djokovic win

By Alastair Himmer

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal blasted past Serb Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 on Thursday but the world number two still faced a nervous wait to see if he had done enough to reach the semi-finals of the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup.

The French Open champion boosted his round-robin record to 2-1, making him a favorite to advance at the $4.45 million event in Shanghai.

Fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, who beat Nadal on Tuesday for his second straight win, was playing France's Richard Gasquet in the other Gold Group match later on Thursday.

Any result other than Gasquet winning in three sets, which would make the ratio of games won and lost the deciding factor in who goes through, would be good enough for Nadal.

Djokovic, already eliminated after losing his first two matches, failed to consistently threaten Nadal, who was fired-up from the start.

A lucky net cord gave Nadal an early break and Djokovic effectively surrendered the set when he dumped an easy volley into the net to drop serve again in the fifth game.

Nadal dashed any ideas Djokovic had of a comeback with a lunging backhand volley to hold to 5-3 in the second set, pumping his fists and roaring in delight after a marathon point.

A looping forehand down the line gave Nadal victory on his first match point, the Spaniard sinking to his knees in celebration after his most convincing performance of the group stages.

American Andy Roddick is the only player so far to book his place in the semi-finals of the showcase eight-man tournament.

(Editing by Alison Wildey)