World Tour Finals Day 6 Preview: Wawrinka, Murray to battle for semis

With the Stan Smith Group scenario now settled, it is now time to turn our attention to the Group Ilie Nastase where French Open champion Stan Wawrinka and World No. 2 Andy Murray will be battling it out for the last semi-final berth. World No. 5 Rafael Nadal has already secured his place in the semis and has topped the group as well but he will have to deal with compatriot David Ferrer in his last round robin match.

Here is the preview of the two matches:

(2) Andy Murray v (4) Stan Wawrinka

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Head-to-head: Murray leads 8-6

This is a tasty encounter. A straight shootout for the semi-finals – this match will decide who will get a chance to face the other group topper Roger Federer.

They have had contrasting trajectories coming into this much-awaited contest. While Murray, who won 68 matches this season before the World Tour Finals, started off with a 6-4, 6-4 dismissal of David Ferrer, Wawrinka put up a listless performance in his 3-6, 2-6 defeat to Rafael Nadal.

Yet while the Swiss mustered up a lot of courage to scramble back from a 1-4 deficit to defeat Ferrer 7-5, 6-2, Murray collapsed to a 4-6, 1-6 loss to Nadal.

Murray certainly would not like to come into this contest with such a confidence-lacking display. What the Scot would also not like is the fact that the French Open champion has won their last two meetings, though both happened back in 2013.

It was at the 2013 US Open where Murray came to defend his first ever Slam title and was hammered a blow by the Swiss who went on to reach the semi-finals. A 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 scoreline it was as Murray looked fatigued and his movements too were hampered by his back injury then.

Two years later, the 28-year-old comes into this match after his first consistent season post-back surgery but Stan Wawrinka has reached scary good levels of success and confidence in the intervening period. He has won 2 Slams and can contend with anyone on a given day.

Wawrinka has also said that he believes that Murray’s diverted attention to the Davis Cup final next weekend is probably taking the sheen away from his performance.

“For sure the fact he practiced so much after Paris on clay to get the rhythm doesn’t help him to feel completely fresh this week,” said Wawrinka.

The Swiss No. 2 looks the fresher of the two and more motivated right now. He reached the semi-finals of this event last year and missed the final berth by a whisker. If he can keep his focus intact – which is his biggest challenge – his blistering backhands and power game can seal him a place in the last-four stage.

Prediction: Wawrinka in three sets

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(5) Rafael Nadal v (7) David Ferrer

Compatriots Nadal and Ferrer have met at this tournament before, in 2013

Head-to-head: Nadal leads 23-6

This is a much-seen battle between old foes and compatriots. Though this match will be of much less significance with Nadal having qualified and Ferrer already out, there is nevertheless much at stake for both the men.

The elder compatriot, Ferrer will want to finish the season on a high while Rafa will want to boost his spirits further before the much-anticipated clash with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Nadal has sailed through his matches in London with consummate ease, having lost just a combined total of 10 games over the likes of World No. 4 Stan Wawrinka and World No. 2 Andy Murray. Ferrer, meanwhile, showed flashes of his grit but failed to cross the finish line. After succumbing to both Murray and Wawrinka in straight sets, Nadal – in the form that he has shown so far – looks even more ominous for the 33-year-old.

Their last match at this very venue too wasn’t a savoury affair for Ferrer as he lost 3-6, 2-6 to Nadal.

It doesn’t look like there will be much difference in the outcome even this time.

Prediction: Nadal in straight sets