LONDON(AP) Roger Federer beat Robin Soderling 7-6 (5) 6-3 Thursday to earn a spot in the semifinals of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals.
Federer improved to 3-0 in the round-robin phase of the tournament to secure first place in Group B. Soderling fell to 1-2 but has a slim chance of advancing if David Ferrer beats Andy Murray in straight sets in the late match.
Federer improved his career record against Soderling to 15-1, with his only loss to the Swede coming in this year's French Open quarterfinals.
Federer broke for a 5-3 lead in the second set, hitting a backhand passing shot that Soderling could only return into the net. The second-ranked Swiss then set up match point with a drop shot and converted it when Soderling hit his return into the net.