Stan Wawrinka has won his first match at the ATP Finals by recovering from an early downfall to defeat David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2, in what was a must win match for both players.
The encounter was an opportunity for redemption for both players following the outcome of their previous match. Wawrinka produced a poor performance in his opening match against Rafael Nadal, hitting 35 unforced errors. In comparison 33-year-old Ferrer enjoyed a more convincing performance than the Swiss but still loss 6-4, 6-4, to second seed Andy Murray.
It was a slow start to the match by the Swiss player who produced four unforced errors in the first five points to enable Ferrer to hold his service with ease. Despite the poor start, the Swiss No.2 looked impressive during his opening service game. Ferrer was the first player to pounce as he grabbed his first break point in the fourth game. After enduring a long rally, the Swiss started to lose momentum as he hit the ball wide to enable the Spanish player to charge ahead to 3-1. The early initiative taken by the 33-year-old was nearly squandered in the following game as he was pushed to deuce by his rival. Despite the threat, he managed to hold his nerve and expand the lead to 4-1, triggering Wawrinka to throw his racket on the floor.
Wawrinka continued to threaten to break his rival, but could not convert as the Spaniard produced some masterful shot management at the net as well as aggressive play. With the chance to close out the set, the 33-year-old received his first set point due another Wawrinka error but wasted it with a double fault. The double fault was fatal to Ferrer’s first set hopes as the world No 7 was starting to feel the pressure. The Swiss broke for the first time in the match to put the set back on serve at 4-5 before finally leveling.
The boost given to Wawrinka elevated his game to a higher standard as his Spanish rival began to crumble. Another costly double fault aided Wawrinka to break for the second successive time and lead for the first time in the match. Unlike his older and more experienced opponent, the French Open champion experienced little difficulty closing out the opening set. After racing to 40-0, a 110 mph serve and volley was all that was required for him to take the first set after 56 minutes.
The world No.4 continued motoring in the second set as he dealt another blow to the Spanish fans, by breaking at the start of the second set. Ferrer has little chance to come back against a rapidly improving Wawrinka. A stunning backhand down the line, painting the line, allowed the fourth seed to increase his commanding hold on the match to a set and 4-1. Pulling away with the match, Wawrinka took the victory with a controversial deep forehand towards the baseline. The shot wasn’t challenged by Ferrer, however, it shown by Hawk-eye as being out.
Throughout the 93-minuite match, Wawrinka produced 34 winners, 35 unforced errors, 3 aces and converted 4/8 break points. The triumph has put Wawrinka back on level grounds with Ferrer at 7-7 in their head-to-head. It is now the fourth consecutive time that he has defeated the 33-year-old, who best performance at the ATP Finals was runner-up in 2007.
There is some consolation for Spanish tennis fans following Wawrinka’s victory. His dismissal of Ferrer means that Rafael Nadal has qualified for the semifinal stage of the tournament for the fifth time in his career. On Friday Wawrinka will play Andy Murray for a place in the last four.
