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By Chris Oddo | Friday, November 20, 2015

 
Stan Wawrinka London 2015

Stan Wawrinka worked his way past Andy Murray to round out the last four at the World Tour Finals in London.

Photo Source: CameraSport

A lot has happened since Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray last met at the 2013 US Open. Wawrinka has won two Grand Slams and become an elite player while Murray has struggled with injuries and had to work his way back to the top.

More: Nadal Excited for Djokovic Challenge on Saturday in London


On Friday the pair, both in fine fettle this season, met with it all to play for a the O2 Arena. With both seeking a berth in the semifinals of the prestigious year-end event, it was Wawrinka who emerged with the 7-6(4), 6-4 victory to book his spot in the last four at the World Tour Finals in London.

Wawrinka will meet Roger Federer in a rematch of last year’s edgy semifinal that saw Federer save four match points before earning the hard-earned victory (though the fireworks afterwards ended up garnering more headlines).

Friday's was a metaphor for Wawrinka’s week: Slow start followed by a steady finish. The 30-year-old turned in a head-scratching performance in his first match against Rafael Nadal on Monday, one that left many believing that he may have one foot out the door and already on winter break.

But Wawrinka redoubled his efforts and battled past David Ferrer in straight sets on Wednesday to set up the showdown with Murray.

After a scratchy first set that featured a trade of breaks late, Wawrinka looked to be in trouble when he found himself behind 4-2 in the first set tiebreaker. But a string of four consecutive Murray errors opened the door for Wawrinka, who converted his first set point and moved ahead immediately in set two with another break.

With Wawrinka’s form rising Murray struggled to stay in the match and finally yielded. The Scot dumped a forehand into the net to hand Wawrinka a double-break lead and a chance to serve for the match.

Murray would mount a rally, breaking and holding to pull within 5-4, but on his second chance to serve out the match Wawrinka held firm, rallying from 0-30 down and saving two break points to finally secure victory when Murray missed a backhand at the one hour and 54-minute mark.

Notes, Numbers, Tweets

Murray was bidding to reach his 70th win and lock up the year-end No. 2 ranking for the first time. He will still finish No. 2 unless Federer wins the title in London. The 70th win should come, as Murray will play the Davis Cup final next weekend in Belgium.

Wawrinka improves to 55-17 on the season and 7-8 vs. Murray lifetime.

Wawrinka has now reached the semifinals for the third consecutive time at the World Tour Finals.




 

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