Shanghai, November 14:

Top-ranked Roger Federer snapped his two-match losing streak, beating No 4 Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday and boosting his chances of defending his Masters Cup title.

Despite a few glitches along the way, including 39 unforced errors to just 23 winners, Federer looked extremely focused as he improved his round-round record to 1-1 in the season-ending tournament that features the top eight men’s singles players.

Davydenko fell to 0-2 and was virtually eliminated, barring injuries to players above the Russian in the Red Group. It was Federer’s second consecutive loss, the first time he had lost twice in a row in 4 and a half years.

Both players began well, with the first break opportunity not coming until Davydenko served at 3-4. Federer, going for winners but sometimes missing badly, quickly converted and served for the set only to see Davydenko break back. But Davydenko’s errors handed the set to Federer when he doubled-faulted at deuce, then missed a forehand wide.

Federer cut his mistakes and had Davydenko in constant trouble in the second set. He squandered four break points with Davydenko serving at 0-1 in a game that went to deuce six times, then ran off four games in a row to take command at 5-1. Davydenko got back one break as Federer served for the match and held to pull within 5-3.

But Federer was just too good in the end, shouting “Yes!” in clear relief when Davydenko committed his 26th unforced error on match point. The Russian just didn’t have enough to hurt Federer, compiling only 11 winners. In the Gold Group, second-ranked Rafael Nadal (1-1) will try to reach the semi-finals when he will play on Thursday against No 3 Novak Djokovic, who is 0-2. David Ferrer (2-0), meets Richard Gasquet (1-1.).