Wawrinka eliminates Ferrer from year-end tennis event

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Reuters

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in action against Spain's David Ferrer .

Swiss' Stanislas Wawrinka will next square off on Friday against second-ranked Britain's Andy Murray

Swiss star Stanislas Wawrinka cruised to a 7-5, 6-2 victory at the World Tour Finals over Spaniard David Ferrer, who was eliminated from tennis’ year-end tournament with the loss.

The 33-year-old Ferrer, a finalist in this elite, eight-man event in 2007, came out strong in the beginning of the contest at the O2 arena in London on Wednesday night, while Wawrinka exhibited the same listlessness he showed in a straight-set loss to Spain’s Rafael Nadal on Monday, reports Efe.

Ferrer led 4-1 after consolidating a service break, but he failed to convert a set point when serving at 5-3 and then double-faulted a few points later to allow Wawrinka to get back on serve.

The 30-year-old Swiss clinched the set after another service break and then used his superior firepower to take full control of the second set, rolling to victory despite 15 unforced errors over the final eight games and 35 for the match.

“My game has started to feel better out there,” Wawrinka was quoted as saying on the Association of Tennis Professionals’ (ATP) website.

“I didn’t start well. I am starting to play a little bit better the middle of the first set. I’m a little bit lucky he gave me back the game to come back. I’m quite happy with the win, especially to turn around the first set and finish that way.”

Wawrinka will next square off on Friday against second-ranked Scotsman Andy Murray for second place in the Ilie Nastase Group and a berth in the semi-finals.

Nadal reached the semi-finals as the winner of the Ilie Nastase Group thanks to his straight-set win Wednesday over Murray and Wawrinka’s victory. He will take on the second-place finisher in the Stan Smith Group: Serbian No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No.3 Roger Federer or Czech Tomas Berdych on Saturday.