To the four!

Defending champion Roger Federer defeated David Ferrer for the 14th successive time to book his place in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals yesterday.

Roger Federer celebrates a point against David Ferrer in London yesterday. Pic/AFP

The second seed still has a final Group B match to come against Juan Martin Del Potro on Saturday but yesterday's 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory was his second straight-sets win of the tournament and means he cannot be denied a spot in the last four.

Ferrer went into the clash on an 11-match winning streak but he had managed only three sets in his previous meetings with Federer compared to 27 for his opponent and again came out second best. Federer is looking for his third straight title and he made a great start this afternoon.

That did not tell the whole story, though, as he fought off six break points, and they were back level after Ferrer finally took his eighth chance.