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Nadal locks up ATP No. 1 year-end rankings

Rafael Nadal, shown with his trophy given for winning the 2013 U.S. Open, locked up both a berth in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals and the year-end world No. 1 rankings with a win Wednesday after Stanislas Wawrinka. UPI/John Angelillo
Rafael Nadal, shown with his trophy given for winning the 2013 U.S. Open, locked up both a berth in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals and the year-end world No. 1 rankings with a win Wednesday after Stanislas Wawrinka. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

LONDON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Rafael Nadal edged by Stanislas Wawrinka for a win at the ATP World Tour Finals that assures Nadal of holding the No. 1 ranking at year's end.

Nadal defeated Wawrinka, the world No. 8, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6) in a 2-hour, 13-minute battle that was one of the tightest of the series between the two.

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Nadal improved to 2-0 in Group A play and, with two straight-set wins, locked up a place in the tournament semifinals. He also closed out No. 2-ranked Novak Djokovic's chances of catching Nadal for the world No. 1 ranking this year.

Wawrinka drops to 1-1 in round-robin play and is tied with No. 6-ranked Tomas Berdych, who wrapped up Wednesday's play with a 6-4, 6-4 win over third-ranked David Ferrer. Ferrer is 0-2 in Group A with a match against Wawrinka left on his round-robin schedule.

Nadal hasn't lost in his 12 meetings against Wawrinka -- in fact, he hasn't dropped a set -- but none of the previous meetings was as close as Wednesday's match in which Nadal won 83 points and Wawrinka 80.

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Nadal had break advantages in each set but Wawrinka answered both times and forced tiebreakers, which were both tied until the very late stages when Nadal managed to win back-to-back points and claim the sets.

Berdych played a very solid match against Ferrer, winning almost 80 percent of the points on serve and not allowing Ferrer a break opportunity. Berdych had plenty -- nine on the day -- and managed a break in each set.

Group B is to return to action Thursday with No. 7-ranked Roger Federer scheduled to go against ninth-ranked Richard Gasquet in the early match. Both dropped their first matches in the tournament. Djokovic is to face No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro in the late match Thursday.

The top two finishers on each group advance to the tournament semifinals.

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