Andy Murray crashes out of ATP World Tour Finals against Stan Wawrinka

Wawrinka, serving for the match for the second time, soon trailed 0-30, before producing a huge cross court shot, which Murray failed to keep in play.

Nadal, meanwhile, had rediscovered a few form of old after a challenging year, winning all three of his group matches against Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray and David Ferrer.

Wawrinka will face Stan Smith Group victor Roger Federer, who like Nadal was unbeaten in group play.

The world number one outclassed Rafael Nadal to win a surprisingly brief semi-final 6-3 6-3. Murray, who will be alonsgide brother Andy in Britain’s Davis Cup team for next week’s final against Belgium in Ghent, is splitting with Peers after three years together having reached the Wimbledon and US Open finals this year. I think he also likes playing me because he has variety in his game with the slice, he comes to the net, he takes away the time from me.

While many would have predicted Djokovic to see through to the semi-finals in London this week, a lot of questions marks surrounded Nadal’s campaign considering his well documented struggles throughout the season.

With the remaining semi-final place coming down to a straight contest between Murray and Wawrinka, the 17,000 fans at the O2 Arena settled in for something close to a Grand Slam quarter-final.

It’s Wawrinka’s last four appearance for the third straight year. I think was late on the year, but at the same time is at least the right time I try to finish the year with that positive feeling. But I am very happy about what I did in the last five weeks of the season. Although I got broken in the second game, it was a good game. The racket which he smashed on the court shortly after failing to capitalise on a break point as Wawrinka served for the match was testament to his desire to win.

The second set started in disastrous fashion for the home favourite, losing his service game. The French Open champion broke again for a 5-2 lead but needed two attempts to serve out the match. “I finish the season the way that I really want to start the next one”.

Intriguingly, Murray’s support camp were not sat courtside but higher up in the stands.

In their place, arena staff members occupied two seats in an otherwise empty box. I do take decisions by myself sometimes.

“But just from my side, on the important moments I’m a bit disappointed with how I played them”.

Two defeats to Djokovic, and one to both Wawrinka and Nadal has not brought his ATP season to the climax he was hoping for.

Ferrer competed in the last group match like his life depended on it, and kept Nadal out on court for 157 minutes before the more celebrated Spaniard won 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Certainly Nadal’s celebration after outlasting the already-eliminated seventh seed – he clenched his fists and looked skywards – suggested Friday’s affair meant more to him than what would usually be the case with a dead rubber.

And, it was the first time in 44 matches that Ferrer has lost after wining the first set. He is achieving nearly everything that one player can dream. I know that, and I am here to try my best.

Despite having nothing left to play for Ferrer would impress to take the first set in a tie-break – with the World No. 7 grabbing the early advantage in this all-Spanish clash.