London: Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's hopes of finishing a disappointing season on a high note, defeating the six-time champion 7-5, 6-3 Sunday in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals.
It was Nadal's first win over his old rival on an indoor hard court and his 22nd in 32 matches overall.
Nadal, who will end the season as the No. 1-ranked player, is bidding to win the elite year-end event for the first time. He will face either Novak Djokovic or Swiss debutant Stanislas Wawrinka in Monday's final.
Federer, who has been hampered by a back injury this season, has won only one title over the past 14 months. He played aggressively early on but faded after losing the first set, making too many mistakes to threaten the Spaniard.
