ATP World Tour Finals: Kei Nishikori topples stand-in David Ferrer but must wait on a semi-final place

Kei Nishikori beat David Ferrer 4-6 6-4 6-1 and advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals after Andy Murray's subsequent defeat to Roger Federer.

Ferrer was Nishikori’s stand-in opponent after Canadian Milos Raonic withdrew from the tournament earlier in the day due to a low grade tear to his quad.

Nishikori’s win meant Federer was guaranteed a place in the last four and the Japanese No 1 then saw his progress confirmed after the Swiss dismantled Murray in Thursday's evening game.

Ferrer only missed out on a place in the top eight at the very last minute after Raonic defeated Federer at the Paris Masters and he lost to Nishikori.

The Spaniard, one of the game's great street-fighters, rarely needs any extra motivation but that might have provided it, along with a significant amount of prize money and 200 ranking points.

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Nishikori, who had his own injury worries after receiving treatment to his right wrist against Federer, had won five of their previous eight meetings, including all three this season, but everyone had been extremely close.

Competitive

It quickly became clear this would be the most competitive match of the week so far, with the pair trading fizzing groundstrokes.

Having prepared to face a big server, this was a completely different scenario for Nishikori, but he began well and was in control of most of the rallies.

A forehand winner earned him the first break of serve in the seventh game but Ferrer hit straight back and a double fault and smash into the net from Nishikori handed the opening set to the alternate.

But Nishikori put the disappointment behind him quickly by breaking in the opening game of the second set and an improved serving display from the fourth seed helped him keep Ferrer at arm's length.

The 24-year-old's groundstrokes were more accurate than his opponent's and carried more bite, and he was well on his way when he opened up a 4-0 lead in the decider.

Ferrer threatened a comeback but could not take any of four break points for 4-2 and Nishikori moved away again to win the first three-set match of the tournament.