World number one Roger Federer squeezed into the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday despite a 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3 defeat by Juan Martin del Potro and the result also knocked Andy Murray out of the tournament.

Del Potro and Federer both advanced after a three-way tie in Group A, with Murray's elimination literally coming down to the last game after three rounds of group matches.

All three players finished the round-robin stage with two wins and identical 5-4 set records, but Murray had the lowest percentage of games won. Had Del Potro lost just one more game against Federer, Murray would have advanced at the Argentine's expense.

Switzerland's Roger Federer reacts after missing a shot against Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro during their ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the 02 Arena in London November 26, 2009.

In an earlier match, Murray notched up a 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3) victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco.

"I'm going to go home, get some rest and then see what happens with the match. I definitely won't watch too much of it. Got to try and look after my body the best that I can, if I get to play another match," said the 22-year-old Scot.

Verdasco's defeat ended a miserable outing for Spain at the tournament. The country was the only nation to field two representatives in the elite eight-man line-up but both Verdasco and Rafael Nadal, who was in Group B, were eliminated.

【体坛英语资讯：Federer squeezes into semis, Murray misses out】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Madonna plans second Malawi adoption

★ 体坛英语资讯：Olympic champion Zhang scared at ProTour Finals

★ 体坛英语资讯：Rooneys return perfectly timed for United

★ 体坛英语资讯：James throws up more bricks, Celtics win 89-73

★ 体坛英语资讯：USA, France and Argentina cruise into Davis Cup last 8

★ 体坛英语资讯：Drastic changes made in soccer team

★ 体坛资讯：Richards to meet an example, Liu Xiang to set an example

★ 体坛英语资讯：Becker urges Federer to stay in Olympic village

★ 体坛资讯：Henry to sign for Barca, club sources

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Britney Spears told to pay most of K-Feds fees