By: Lauren Lynch

Photo Credit: Andy Kentla

(November 21, 2011) Not a stranger to success at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, David Ferrer took two hours to oust Andy Murray in front of the British crowd of 17,000 people at the 02 arena, 6-4, 7-5. This marks his first win over the 24-year-old on hard court.

This was the fifth-seeded Spaniard’s fourth win over the Scot, who has five wins over the 29-year-old including a win in London last year. He puts Murray at five total losses at the tournament over the years.

He commented on othis fact, "The last year I lost all the matches, and this year I can win my first match in London. So I like a lot to play in London and to play the finals."

Ferrer opened the match with a serve but Murray took a break at 2-1 with four attempts. The Spaniard, famous for his return game, came back directly and broke and benefitted from Murray’s three forehand errors and broke back at 2-2. The 5’9’ player remains consistent for the rest of the first set and fights off al break points for the Scot, who appeared to be having some groin problems.

Murray got medical treatment for his right groin between sets for three minutes which seems to work for him after breaking Ferrer immediately in the second set with a forehand to the net. Soon the injury returned to bother the World No. 3 and he misses important points as Ferrer lobbed the Scott and broke his serve. Ferrer’s serve gets on points with several aces but again Murray comes back to take away his serve a 4-3 and the World No. 5 responds with a break and benefits from a double fault.

It was Ferrer’s match with a winner at the net with 35 errors to 19 winners in the match compared to Murray’s 44 unforced errors and 19 winners. This was a strong first robin-match for the tour veteran.

He pointed to why he was on top today in his post-match conference, "I won to Andy. In London, in your home, is not easy. I played very good. I played very consistent all the match. Maybe the first set I play better than the second. In the second sometimes I was a little bit nervous. In important moments, I take my chance, and nothing else. "

Murray’s injury leaves him precarious for the rest of London. This was Ferrer’s fifth win at the year-end event and 57th win this year. He moves on with confidence.

"I think it was important to start winning the match, no? And if you won with two sets is better with the group. You know you need to win one match more because is very difficult to pass to semifinal winning only one match."