Watch Rogerer Feder v Kei Nishikori at the ATP World Tour finals from 2pm on Thursday on Sky Sports 1 HD.
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Nadal was superb in the next game as a couple of good returns including a ideal backhand left him at 0-30, it was soon triple set point Nadal when Murray could do nothing about another return from the Spaniard and Nadal took the set after Murray was forced from side to side and Nadal finished off the set in style to take it 6-4.
The Spaniard wasn’t even sure he would win a match at the ATP World Tour Final, but now the No. 5 Nadal has won both contests, beating Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray.
Defeat for Murray would leave him free to focus on the Davis Cup, but he nonetheless wants to make it through and hopes his heavy loss to Nadal will have provided a jolt.
“The victories are important because at the end of the day that’s confidence on the things that you are doing off court, no, outside of the competition”. I feel [enjoyment] on court. I’m competing with everybody else equally for this trophy as any other trophy.
He said: “If it itches too much, I’ll take it off. If my girls can’t stand it, I’ll take it off. If I look in the mirror and I don’t like it, I’ll take it off. Maybe I’ll think of Santa and keep it. It’s around the corner”.
For Nadal, his play so far at the tournament has been a continuation of his late season improvement during a year in which he has lost 19 times – a staggering number for him. Also, I didn’t help myself out there today.
Twelve months ago Wawrinka came here in exactly the same situation as Murray, with his first appearance in the Davis Cup final looming.
Murray amazingly only won one of 10 second serves in the second set, and a lowly 34% for the entire match.
Wawrinka broke serve for a third straight time in the opening game of the second set and quickly pulled away – winning seven consecutive matches.
Nadal failed to convert any of the seven break points Wawrinka offered up at the start of the second set and then had to save two himself in the next game, one with a stunning lob.
Murray can guarantee finishing the season at number two, the highest year-end ranking of his career, if he beats Wawrinka, while Nadal faces compatriot Ferrer to complete the group phase.
Wawrinka last night beat Spain’s David Ferrer 7-5 6-2. Bringing his trademark grit and depth of shot to face Murray, it just wasn’t enough as the Brit brought his best to the big moments, triumphing 6-4 6-4.
“I tried to do my best”.
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“I wasn’t serving well towards the end of the first set, and it was carried over in the second”.
