Andy Murray v Stan Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour Finals
Friday 20 November 2015 19:41, UK
Andy Murray faces a major battle to avoid a group stage elimination from the ATP World Tour Finals on Friday.
The British No 1 will play world No 4 Stan Wawrinka in a straight shoot-out with the winner advancing to the semi-finals of the London tournament and a date with Roger Federer.
You can watch Murray v Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour Finals on Friday, live from 8pm on Sky Sports 3 HD.
Live Tennis: ATP World Tour Finals
The business end of the competition beckons for Murray but he is also teetering on a second successive disappointing campaign at the O2. Last year, he crashed out at the group stage after a 6-0 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Federer so he will aim to avoid another premature exit.
Murray was defeated by Rafael Nadal earlier this week having opened up with a win against David Ferrer, giving him an identical 1-1 record to Wawrinka making Friday evening's match a must-watch. Oddly, they haven't met in two years and Murray has an 8-6 head-to-head advantage.
A last-four encounter against Federer awaits, but there is a further carrot dangling in front of Murray in the form of his world ranking. If he beats Wawrinka, he is guaranteed to end the year as the world No 2 for the first time.
The Scot has already been preparing for the clay court Davis Cup final against Belgium next week, making his hard-court progress at the O2 even more challenging, but Friday's match against Wawrinka will a credible test for Murray against a fellow top contender.
Earlier on Friday, Rafael Nadal beat David Ferrer in straight sets.
Watch the ATP World Tour Finals on Friday - Murray v Wawrinka at 8pm on Sky Sports 3 HD.
