Nadal on brink of Masters semis

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

SHANGHAI (AFP) — World number two Rafael Nadal dismissed Novak Djokovic in straight sets to move to the brink of the Masters Cup semi-finals on Thursday.

The Spaniard was rarely tested by the disappointing Serb, who had already been eliminated, winning 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 44 minutes.

Nadal has won two and lost one of his round-robin matches and is on the verge of a place in the last four ahead of David Ferrer's meeting with Richard Gasquet later.

Nadal is definitely through unless Gasquet wins in three sets, when the top two places in Gold Group will be decided on games won.

Nadal started strongly, whipping backhand and forehand winners past Djokovic as he went 4-1 up without dropping a point on serve.

Djokovic finally showed signs of...