Federer 3rd On AP Athlete of the Decade Poll

The Associated Press Athlete of the Decade poll results are out, and tennis' own Roger Federer finished third on the list. Federer's buddy Tiger Woods is the overwhelming choice for top Athlete of the Decade. Here are the top six:

1. Tiger Woods (56 out of 142 votes)
2. Lance Armstrong (33 out of 142 votes)
3. Roger Federer (25 out of 142 votes)
4. Michael Phelps (13 out of 142 votes)
5. Tom Brady (6 out of 142 votes)
6. Usain Bolt (4 out of 142 votes)

Nadal Notches 400th Win

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal earned his 400th career match win in Spain today against Czech Tomas Berdych as he gave his country a 1-0 lead in the Davis Cup finals. It's quite fitting that he achieved this milestone on his favorite surface. Prior to this victory, he had lost four straight, all on fast indoor courts, including all three of his matches in the group stage of the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

In the second rubber, fellow Spaniard David Ferrer came from two sets down to beat Radek Stepanek to give Spain a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Nadal and Stepanek are scheduled to play the fourth rubber in the reverse singles on Sunday, although we might see a different match-up should Spain clinch the title tomorrow with a doubles win.

ATP WTF: Davydenko Wins It All

No one saw it coming, not even Nikolay Davydenko himself. Davydenko won the biggest title of his career Sunday, as he bested US Open champ Juan Martin Del Potro at the final in London. He also beat French Open and Wimbledon double winner Roger Federer (semifinals) and Australian Open champ Rafael Nadal (round-robin) along the way.

Now if only the Grand Slams are played in three sets instead of five, Davydenko will surely be a contender.

ATP World Tour Finals Knock-out Stage All Set

After six days of round-robin play, the semifinal cast in London is set:

Group A Winner Roger Federer vs. Group B Runner-up Nikolay Davydenko
Group B Winner Robin Soderling vs. Group A Runner-up Juan Martin Del Potro

Both groups produced three player-ties, and it came down to percentages of games won in Group A (Andy Murray out), and of sets won in Group B (Novak Djokovic out).

The Spaniard in each group did not win a single match, as Rafa Nadal and Fernando Verdasco lost all three of their round-robin matches. They will have to redeem themselves in the Davis Cup finals coming up in December.

As a consolation, Nadal is assured of finishing the year at No. 2 as a result of Djokovic's elimination in the group stage.

London Update: Soderling In, Nadal Out

It has been a day of upsets in Group B action at the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Robin Soderling defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets, earning him a spot in the semis by virtue of not dropping a set in both of his match wins. Rafa Nadal lost to Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets as well, and has now been eliminated by virtue of not winning a single set in both of his losses.

Nadal could have clinched the Year-end No. 2 ranking if he won today. He has another chance on Friday when he meets Djokovic in his last round-robin match. Should Nadal lose that match, Djokovic will snatch the No. 2 ranking if he then qualifies for the semis and goes on to win the tournament.

It's Official: Federer is Year-End No. 1

Roger Federer beat Andy Murray in Group A action today coming back from one set down to clinch the Year-end No. 1 (a.k.a. ATP World Tour Championship). This is the fifth time Federer has ended the year at the top spot (tied with Jimmy Connors, and second only to Pete Sampras who was Year-end No. 1 for six years).

Congratulations, Roger!

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In the other Group A match, Juan Martin Del Potro bested Fernando Verdasco in three sets. Federer leads his group with 2 match wins, while Murray and Del Potro each have 1 match win. Verdasco has yet to win a match, although he still has a chance to qualify in the semis if he beats Murray in straight sets and Federer defeats Del Potro in two.

In tomorrow's Group B play, holder Novak Djokovic takes on Robin Soderling while Rafa Nadal squares up against Nikolay Davydenko.

Federer Watch: "Magic Number" Down to 1

Group B action at the ATP World Tour Finals saw Rafa Nadal lose to Robin Soderling in straights and holder Novak Djokovic prevail over Nikolay Davydenko in three sets. Nadal's loss means that Roger Federer is now one win (or one Nadal loss) away from clinching the Year-end No. 1.

Federer has four "chances" left to clinch the Year-end No. 1 in the round robin stage, with two of them coming off his racket. He gets his first chance tomorrow against Andy Murray when Group A action resumes. The other Group A match pits Juan Martin Del Potro against Fernando Verdasco, who both lost on Sunday.