Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic set up a titanic clash between the top two in the world as both scored dominating straight-set wins on Sunday to reach the title match of the World Tour Finals.
The world number one Spaniard and the second-ranked Serb have played 38 times, with Nadal leading 22-16 and winning three of five this season.
Nadal reached a title match at the World Tour Finals for the second time in his career as he beat Roger Federer 7-5, 6-3 in their semi-final.
The victory in 80 minutes marked the first time in five meetings that Nadal had beaten his Swiss rival indoors and sends him comfortably into the Monday night shootout.
Nadal lost the London final to Federer in 2010, with the year-end tournament one of the few Nadal has not won in a career with 13 grand slam titles.
Djokovic, winner of his last 21 matches since losing the US Open final to Nadal two months ago, took control against Swiss player Stanislas Wawrinka for a 6-3, 6-3 result.
Both finals contenders know what is at stake in the last confrontation of the ATP season.
“This is the biggest match of this part of year for both of us and we both want to end up with the title,” said Djokovic, who won a 71st match in 2013.
“It’s going to be a great final, we’ve played so many times and we know each other’s game well. There are no secrets between us on the court.” Djokovic lost an early break against Wawrinka, but got it back, going onto take the opening set on another break before finishing it with an ace.
In the second, the world number two broke to start that set and produced some ferocious shot-making to earn victory against the man he has not lost to since 2006, standing 15-2.
“I don’t think unbeatable is the right word,” said Djokovic. “But I’ve been taking it all one step at a time trying to keep my focus and composure with each match. I want to finish this year in the best possible style.” Federer, a six-time year-end champion, was playing a season wrap-up semi for the 11th time in 12 years as he went down to Nadal.
“I just struggled to stay consistent enough throughout the match, and that’s why he deserved to win,” Federer said. “He was better today.
“The margins were more on his side, he was playing more solid — he played the way he always plays. I just couldn’t come up with the shots when I needed them, forehand or serve, moving forward. It’s unbelievable that he gets away with playing so far back indoors these days, but that’s the conditions. So credit to him for making that work for him.” Federer, who started well but could not press in the end, finished with 32 unforced errors and 17 winners, ending his season 45-17 with a title at Halle, Germany.
Nadal, winner of 10 titles in 2013, is into his 14th final of the year and now stands 75-6 since returning after a knee injury in February. Federer missed a chance at his ninth year-end final.