Djokovic grateful for Nishikori wobble

NovakDjokovic

The world number one prevailed 6-1 3-6 6-0 in the first semi-final at the O2 Arena to stay on course for a third consecutive title at the season-ending event in London.

Djokovic will face either Roger Federer or Stanislas Wawrinka in Sunday's final, when he will attempt to become the first player since Ivan Lendl to win the lucrative extravaganza three years in a row.

The Serb did not have things all his own way and reacted with sarcastic applause to the crowd after they had cheered when Nishikori broke in the second set.

Seven-time grand-slam champion Djokovic regained his composure to ease into the final as Nishikori fell to pieces in the decider, double-faulting four times as his debut appearance in the tournament ended with a whimper.

And the Wimbledon champion felt his task was made easier for him by a player who beat him in the semi-finals of the US Open in September.

"It's the semi-finals of one of the biggest tournaments of the year. Kei was making his debut this year in the World Tour Finals, and he was playing great," said Djokovic.

"When you're this confident, he's playing the best season of his life, he's one of the quickest players around. If he hits the ball as well as he did for the first part of the match, it’s very difficult to play against him. 

"In the third set he made some crucial double faults, first serves, it made my life a little bit easier."

Federer and Wawrinka will go head to head in the second semi-final on Saturday and Djokovic will be keeping a close eye on that all-Swiss encounter.

"[It's a] great match. They're both playing very well, especially Roger. So we'll get some popcorn and enjoy the match," he said.

Nishikori was left to rue his inability to rise to the occasion in the final set and reflected on his defeat as a missed opportunity.

"When he's playing well, I don't think anybody can stop him," said Nishikori.

"But you see today, he got a little bit tight in second set. If I could have stayed a little more focused, then I think I had some chances to beat him."

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