Nadal beats Djokovic, Serb suffers eye trouble

Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Serbia's Novak Djokovic in their singles match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London Nov 24, 2010.

LONDON - World number one Rafa Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-2 to close in on the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday after his Serb opponent suffered eye trouble.

What had been a high-quality Group A battle for more than an hour in front of a sell-out O2 Arena crowd suddenly became a stroll for Nadal after world number three Djokovic began to struggle with his vision.

"Playing with one eye, especially against Nadal, is not enough," Djokovic, who described the problem as "irritation" in his right eye, told reporters.

"I feel sick even talking about it to be honest. It's just incredible that this happened to me because it never happened in my life. I was feeling great.

"But my right eye got irritated, and from 5-5 I could not play. I could not see a ball, especially the return. It was just terrible. It's out of my control. Unfortunately, it happened in the very important match, in a very important moment."

There was no sign of anything wrong with Djokovic's vision as he more than matched Nadal until 4-4 but after the first point of the ninth game he suddenly gestured at the umpire and left the court for several minutes.

He was still rubbing his eyes on his return and he surrendered his serve easily at 5-5, giving Nadal the chance to serve out an opening set that lasted 76 minutes.

Spain's Rafael Nadal (L) talks to Serbia's Novak Djokovic after their singles match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London Nov 24, 2010.

Djokovic, who was beaten by Nadal in this year's US Open final, had more treatment on his eye at the changeover but then offered only token resistance as his ruthless Spanish opponent stormed through the second set in 36 minutes.

Nadal closed out victory when Djokovic wafted a return out and now leads Group A with two victories although he is still not guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.

"For sure I'm very sorry for him," Nadal said. "I don't remember what it was in the eye or something like that.

"I ask him at the net what happened. It seemed like something went inside of his eye. After, he didn't see the ball very well."

"For sure this is a very important victory for me in the group because I am in a good position, no?"

Djokovic and Tomas Berdych, who earlier beat Andy Roddick, have one win with Roddick yet to get off the mark.

All will be decided on Friday when the unbeaten Nadal plays Berdych and Djokovic takes on winless Roddick.

"I will try to see a doctor and see if there is something more serious going on and in two days hopefully I can be ready," Djokovic said.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal in their singles match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London Nov 24, 2010.

Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych serves the ball to Andy Roddick of the US in their singles match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London Nov 24, 2010.

(Agencies)