Andy Murray beats Stan Wawrinka, advances to semifinals at ATP finals

Earlier on Thursday, Djokovic, who had already advanced to the semifinals by winning his first-two round-robin matches, remained ideal at this year’s ATP World Tour Finals by routing Belgium’s David Goffin – a replacement for injured Frenchman Gael Monfils – 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour.

Djokovic, who is chasing the year-end No. 1 ranking this week at the season-ending tournament, praised the system at the ATP finals, where players can lose a match in the first round and still advance to the semifinals.

Goffin stepped in after Gael Monfils pulled out on Wednesday with a rib injury to become the third debutant at this year’s tournament.

Djokovic has lost just one match at the Tour Finals since 2012, while Murray has never reached the final.

The Austrian’s serve then faltered in the first game of the second set and it proved decisive as neither competitor managed to land another break until the death.

After weathering an early storm, he won with something to spare to extend his winning streak to 22 matches and set up a semi-final against Canadian Milos Raonic.

Punch bag Murray faces Stan Wawrinka in his last group match today knowing a victory would guarantee he qualifies as group victor, thus avoiding a clash with Djokovic before the final.

Murray is all too aware of the dangers posed by Raonic, even if he has won their five meetings this year, including in the Wimbledon and Queen’s final just across London. “I haven’t gotten the better of him”, said the Canadian. This year when I’ve played him, I’ve created a few opportunities in the matches.

“There’s a lot definitely to be proud of, playing under that kind of pressure, because I really wanted to get out of the group stages and I wanted to give myself a chance in the semifinals”.

“I didn’t think that was supported by, I guess, the right facts”. “When he plays his best tennis, he’s unplayable”.

Asked if he would be surprised to regain the top ranking so soon after losing it, Djokovic said: “Well, I have not the same perception of “surprise” as you do”.

Andy Murray’s rise to the top of the rankings this fall has been a surprising tale containing numerous improbable elements.

“It could come down to a match between me and Novak”, Murray said.

“I’ve got a big match obviously against Milos now, a tough one”.

Wawrinka, meanwhile, proved once again with his US Open final victory over Djokovic that he is a man who knows how to rise to the big occasion.

A straight-sets defeat could have eliminated Murray and he knew that simply winning a set would earn a semi-final spot. I know that the rules are strict.

With Djokovic playing in the evening, Murray won’t want to take any chances and push home a win.

Playing a match knowing victory is not essential is a odd scenario for sportsmen who rarely play anything other than knockout tennis, while Murray had three hours and 20 minutes in his already tired legs from Wednesday’s epic clash with Nishikori.

“I felt like I increased the quality of tennis compared to the other matches”. “I mean, look, it’s the only tournament in the year that we have this kind of format”.