Rafael Nadal launched a furious blast at umpire Carlos Bernardes as the world number one clinched his place in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals with a 7-6, 6-1 win over Tomas Berdych yesterday.

Nadal felt aggrieved when Brazilian official Bernardes awarded a point to Berdych after the Czech sixth seed successfully challenged a call that his shot had gone out.

The Spaniard had stopped playing because Bernardes signalled the ball was out and felt the point should have been replayed. He responded with a prolonged rant at the umpire before eventually continuing.

The controversy actually worked in Nadal’s favour as he took out his frustration on Berdych to secure the set he needed to reach the last four before eventually cruising to his third successive victory at the end-of-year event at London’s O2 Arena.

Nadal qualifies as Group A winner and will play British number one Andy Murray in today’s semi-finals. Berdych’s heavy defeat means he has no chance of making the semis.

The final matches of the first stage can bring all manner of mathematical equations into play, but the sums for Nadal were simple – he just needed one set to go through.

Since 2007, Nadal beat Berdych in all seven of their meetings, including the 2010 Wimbledon final.

Other result: Djokovic bt Roddick 6-2 6-3.