Due to the round robin format and the various wins and losses, Djokovic needed help to get into the semifinals. In particular, the straight set loss to Ferrer meant Djokovic needs help from Ferrer to get to the semifinals.
Basically, if Djokovic won in straight sets, he could get in, provided Ferrer won at least one set against Berdych, even in a loss. But, if Djokovic lost a set, then he would need Ferrer to win to get in. Basically, if Ferrer won, then Djokovic would have a better record than Berdych if Djokovic won, and Djokovic would have the tiebreak (head-to-head) over Berdych if Djokovic lost.
This makes Berdych’s job “easier”. Had Djokovic won in straight sets, then Berdych would also have to win in straight sets to guarantee getting in. Now, all he “has” to do is win, and it doesn’t have to be in straight sets.
Djokovic’s loss does have an impact, however. From Djokovic’s perspective, once he lost that second set, it didn’t matter if he won or lost because he needs Ferrer to beat Berdych to get in. However, from Ferrer’s perspective, a Djokovic win means Ferrer would be guaranteed to win Group A. Why? Clearly, if Ferrer beats Berdych, he’ll be 3-0 and win the group. But if Djokovic had won, then if Berdych also won, there would be a 3-way tie for a 2-1 record. This would favor Ferrer who already has two straight set wins.
But with Djokovic’s loss, a Berdych win would put both Ferrer and Berdych at 2-1 and the head-to-head would favor Berdych and make him the winner of Group A.
The match started off with Djokovic striking the ball well, and he did so for about a set and a half. However, Tipsarevic started to play better and once he got the break and the second set, Djokovic’s level dropped as he didn’t seem to care as much. Tipsarevic got a break, but Djokovic broke back in the third set. Tipsarevic reclaimed the break and that was enough for the win. Djokovic had never lost to Tipsarevic in 3 meetings although they had played close in recent meetings.
Ferrer is favored to beat Berdych, but they only played recently in 2010. All the other meetings were from 2007 or earlier. Berdych is playing solid tennis, so it could get interesting. He beat a player that plays much like Ferrer (Tipsarevic) but steady players do give Berdych trouble.