Angry Nadal into semis

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A pumped-up Rafael Nadal took out his aggression on Tomas Berdych to book a spot in the last four of the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The world number one launched an uncharacteristic outburst at umpire Carlos Bernardes during the first set before turning his aggression into a powerful on-court display as he toppled his Czech opponent 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 on Friday.

But the match will be remembered for Nadal's momentary loss of control when trailing 6-5 in the first set.

The drama began when Nadal stopped playing a point after Berdych's shot was called long.

Berdych successfully challenged the call and, rather than opting for a replay, Bernardes awarded the point to the Czech.

The ruling infuriated Nadal who argued with Bernardes and a courtside official that the point should have been replayed.

The lesser-fancied Berdych made a bright start to the match and quickly had two break points on Nadal's serve.

But the nine-time Grand Slam winner produced two winners in reply before eventually holding.

In the fifth game it was Berdych's turn to deny his opponent a break with a superb forehand and a series of pinpoint serves.

The set eventually entered a tie-breaker and, using the controversial call as motivation, Nadal produced a devastating display to take it in style.

Berdych had no answer to Nadal in the second set as the Spaniard found his range with serve and produced winners at will.

A sloppy Berdych backhand in the fourth game gave Nadal his first break of the set, and he followed up with another in the sixth game before serving out the match and earning his first ever semi-final berth at the season-ending event.

Nadal's straight-sets victory sees him top Group A and sets up an exciting meeting with local hope Andy Murray, the Group B runner-up.

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