Shanghai, November 13:

Nikolay Davydenko advanced to the semi-finals of the Masters Cup by beating Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-2 today.

Knowing the winner would advance, Davydenko’s defense and relentless groundstrokes were the difference, turning an expected tight match into a rout. He broke Del Potro’s serve four times. Earlier, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France beat Novak Djokovic of Serbia 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. Djokovic had already been assured of a spot in the semi-final, while Tsonga had been eliminated.

Del Potro was unable to put much pressure on his Russian opponent in the first set, connecting on only 42 per cent of his first serves. Serving while trailing 4-3, Del Potro double-faulted to set up break-point. Davydenko put away a forehand winner off a short ball for the game, then held at love for the set.

After Del Potro held to start the second set, Davydenko won five straight games, leaving the Argentine frustrated. Del Potro held to get to 5-2, but Davydenko finished it off by holding at love, with Del Potro netting a return on match point.

Tsonga looked listless before coming alive and winning five consecutive games from 5-5 in the second set to take control. Tsonga was unusually subdued early in the match, showing only flashes of the form that carried him to the Paris Masters title — an event he had to win to qualify for the Masters Cup.

Djokovic broke Tsonga twice while finishing the first set. Tsonga pulled himself together in the second set, saving two break-points while serving at 2-2, then finally broke through as Djokovic served while trailing 6-5. The Serb had four unforced errors in the game, sending a forehand long on set point. Another four mistakes handed Tsonga an early break in the third set. Tsonga broke again to take a 5-1 lead, then held at love, flicking a lob winner on match point.