Nikolay Davydenko grabbed the last semifinal spot at the ATP World Tour Finals in London by beating Robin Soderling, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3, yesterday, ousting defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Davydenko, Djokovic and Soderling all finished with two wins in the round-robin phase, but the third-ranked Serb was eliminated on sets. Soderling had already secured advancement and finished at the top of Group B.

Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal, 7-6 (5), 6-3, earlier yesterday, handing the Spaniard his third straight loss at the tournament.

Davydenko will face top-ranked Roger Federer in today's first semifinal match. Soderling, who entered the tournament as an alternate after Andy Roddick pulled out because of injury, will take on U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro.

GOLF

IRELAND KEEPS LEAD

Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy held onto Ireland's three-stroke lead in the World Cup of Golf yesterday in Shenzhen, China, shooting a 4-under 68 in the second round.

The Irishmen were 18-under 126 for 36 holes after the alternate-shot second day of the $5.5 million tournament. Defending champion Sweden was second after Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson shot the day's best round — a 7-under 65 — at the Mission Hills Golf Club.

The American duo of Nick Watney and John Merrick was tied for 20th at 139.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Graham Gano kicked a 33-yard field goal in overtime to give the Las Vegas Locomotives a 20-17 victory over the Florida Tuskers yesterday in the inaugural UFL championship game at Las Vegas. ... Roberto Alomar, Edgar Martinez, Barry Larkin and Fred McGriff are among 15 first-time candidates of this year's baseball Hall of Fame ballot.