Quick turnaround for Murray after ATP disappointment

Rafael Nadal warmed up for tonight’s semi-final against world number one Novak Djokovic by defeating David Ferrer 6-7 6-3 6-4 at the ATP World Tour Finals yesterday.

A resurgent Rafael Nadal has already conquered both players to qualify from group Ilie Nastase, and will take on David Ferrer today in an all-Spanish dead rubber from which one would expect to see Rafa emerge as the victor.

Murray recovered from a break down in the opener, but from 4-2 up in the tie-break things fell apart and the frustrated world No. 2 failed to make the last four for the fourth time in six appearances at London’s O2 Arena.

Djokovic’s grip on his title which he has won in the last three years has loosened somewhat during the preliminary round after the world number was beaten conclusively by Roger Federer in straight sets.

He has spoken in London of the “strange feelings” he has experienced on court this year, but also of the gains made in the past month or so. If Nadal wins the ATP title for the first time, the two-time runner-up will take home $2.23 million.

Losing his last two matches of the week was not the way he wanted to prepare for the Davis Cup final: the importance of winning – and building momentum for Ghent – illustrated all too clearly by the racquet smash that greeted Wawrinka’s first match point.

“After that I’m going to practise physical performance”. “Three straight wins against top-eight players is great news for me”. I’m 100 percent sure I didn’t say that and I didn’t say anything that can be taken out of the context, anything similar to that. “That’s impossible to compete at the highest level”. I can’t blame him. “Because when I was going for my shots, I felt like I was making errors”.

“I’m sorry for the crowd that I had to beat him, but I am happy to be in the semi-finals. That’s a lot of positive energy for me”. “I think I competed well”, Nadal said. “Already in China, playing finals in Beijing, semifinals in Shanghai, you can feel that he’s starting to get comfortable on the court, start to play better”. The topsy-turvy nature ensued, and Nadal had the set on his racket after breaking for 6-5.

Wawrinka stuttered again at 5-4 up, handing over a break point to instill hope of a miraculous Murray recovery, but yet more rash returns from the world No 2 gifted match points to his relieved opponent. “He’s come back from tight situations, which is a sign he’s getting back to where he wants to be”.

“I think he’s going to get stronger. I do watch matches, but I don’t read papers, so forth, especially during the tournament”. “I have to play to the limit of my best to have a chance”, he said. “OK, maybe for his standard it’s not the best season”.

The set then came down to a tiebreaker, in which Wawrinka reeled off the last five points to overcome a 4-2 deficit. It’s still a good season. The rest would all love to be in his shoes.

That game seemed to take its toll on both players and neither had another break point until Ferrer netted a backhand at 4-4 and Nadal then hit a forehand victor down the line to take the lead for good.