EVERY GAME COUNTS

Despite exiting the tournament, Djokovic refused to blame the group format that caused complete chaos the previous evening when tournaments officials took an age to work out the final standings in a tight Group A.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after winning his ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the 02 Arena against Rafael Nadal of Spain in London November 27, 2009. [Agencies]

"I think in Masters Cup, in World Tour Finals, (the round-robin system) it's actually good," Djokovic, who beat Davydenko earlier in the tournament, told reporters before discovering his fate.

"In my situation maybe not now, because my destiny does not depend on myself but that's the way it is.

"Maybe the fact that every set counts and every game counts puts a little bit more pressure on you," added Djokovic, who was left to rue a second-set capitulation against Soderling earlier in the week that ultimately proved costly.

Thankfully there was no repeat of Thursday's head-scratching, mainly due to the fact the equation this time was much simpler.

Davydenko knew victory would take him through at the expense of Djokovic and the fleet-footed baseliner proved up to the task.

He saved two break points in the eighth game of the first set before taking the opener on a tiebreak but had no answer to an inspired Soderling in the second as the Swede levelled.

Soderling's concentration wavered in the deciding set and his forehand went to pieces at 2-3 to hand Davydenko the break that was to prove decisive.

The ninth-ranked Swede saved one match point and looked set to save another but sent a wild forehand yards over the baseline.

"Djokovic? What did he think about. He probably thought I need to book tickets tomorrow and go on holiday," Davydenko said when asked what he thought the Serb's reaction would have been to Soderling's rather lame finish.