Day 3: Nadal v Wawrinka Tennis: World Tour Finals

It's-day three and we have now seen all the contenders at this year's

World Tour finals. It started with a bang as Stan Wawrinka outlasted

Tomas Berdych in the opening match. And then Juan Martin Del Potro

burned through the defences of Richard Gasquet. Yesterday, we saw

Rafa Nadal blaze through David Ferrer for the 21st time and Novak

Djokovic's hot winning streak continued with another victory over

six time champion Roger Federer. Today, Nadal will be trying to

clinch the year-end number one spot against Wawrinka, who has nothing to

lose. With a semifinal beckoning, both men are fired up for the

challenge. And we are all fired up to watch

them as well. Bradford -- Rafa Nadal against and vibrant. So looking

forward to it. And, Andrew, for Rafa today, we could see him but his

place in the semifinal and be crowned world number one. I think it

has been driving in the sometime. When you look at the top guys, you

wonder what keeps them coming back for more. And the year-end number

one is one of the things. Only one blemish on Rafa's record. He stayed

calm against Ferrer and got the job done. And he is walking charisma

when he walks on court. How do you set up a game plan against Tim? I

just don't know. It is one of the most ever devastating shots. It is

tough enough setting up a game against Nadal but when you Wawrinka

you are coming on court for the 12 time and you haven't won a set

against him and that is hard to deal with mentally, and he will have to

think about the way you can have an impact so he can go out with some

sort of belief to think you can win the match today. Rafa, when he came

on court, the crowd just love him. Roger as well and Andy, but he does

just ignite a sort of passion. They do. I spoke to some ladies

recently, the tri- County ladies lunch! Some formidable ladies in

there! They love him. Men and women. And you can see why. And we will see

why today. But he just has to take it step-by-step and see what

happens, Wawrinka. He has had the time of his career of his life!

Today is another match and we already for the introductions. Here

we go. From Switzerland, Stanislav Wawrinka!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Ladies and gentlemen, the world

number one! Winner of 13 grand slam titles making his sixth appearance

at the Barclays ATP World Tour finals, from Majorca, Spain, Rafael

Nadal! Ladies and gentlemen...

SUE BARKER: Aren't we happy to have Djokovic and Federer here last night

and now Rafa this afternoon with outstanding players at the top

became full -- at the top of their game. When the players come on,

17,500 people in this magnificent stadium, which is brilliant. And the

players appreciate that. You saw in Rafa's previous performance, in

Paris, you came and put a marker down and played fantastically well.

The consequences of this match big in many areas. If he wins he is

almost certain to go through to the semifinals but if he wins he is also

world number one, so plenty to play for. And it is great to have him in

the tournament, because so often at this time of-year, he has been

injured. He has missed a number of these Championship finals and it is

great at the end of the-year that he is here. He lost in the final two

Federer. I agree, you often comes in and this is a bit of an afterthought

at the end of the-year. If it were on clay, perhaps that would be

fairer for him. This is the surface. If you are vulnerable ever, it is on

a relatively low bouncing, medium paced and slowish indoor court. He

does actually lose on this surface, whereas on clay, he never does. He

was asked yesterday in the press conference about playing on clay,

playing on hard court, and he was asked, what does you like about it?

And he just said sunshine. By like to be outside. The way his game

reacts and the way the ball bounces, obviously on an indoor court, with

no variables, players can take the ball a bit earlier. When you are

playing outside there was a with a bit of a breeze and perhaps the

surface is not so consistent. We will talk more in a moment.

Five minutes warm up. You going to choose?

I think they are smiling as well. I don't know who was moving more! Like

two box is getting ready! He won't move as quickly back to the baseline

when they turn. Cameraman, on your marks, get set! We missed it! But

the crowd thoroughly enjoyed it! They are going to thoroughly enjoy

this match with so much at stake, and we will talk more about this

match in just a moment, but let's just reflect on last night. A

wonderful match, as you would expect. Won by Djokovic in three

sets and this is how he sealed the match. He won it six - four, 6-7,

6-2. And that was match point. Another brutal encounter. Is

certainly was. I think it was about two and a half hours. I think from

Federer's point of view, it went OK. No better than that. And he still

had opportunities. So I think with his game style, it went OK. No

better than that. And he still had opportunities. So I think with his

game style comedy obviously needs to play aggressively. Made a lot of

errors when he was rallying from are staying in rallies and making

unforced errors, that is was going to be costly against Djokovic. It

was amazing in the second set, Federer raising himself, again,

having raised himself already to new standards. And it doesn't get any

easier. And he is trying to stay up with these guys, Djokovic, Nadal.

The bottom line is, Roger must know this now. And nobody adores his

tennis more than ideal. These guys are better than him now. Certainly

Djokovic and Nadal, and Murray, you have to say. So what is he going to

do in the next 18 months to stick around and make himself part of the

deal? It is absolutely fascinating, but Djokovic is just data for bit

better. I think he is playing better and the results speak for

themselves. -- but Djokovic is just playing a bit better. As far as

Federer is concerned, Novak wound him up a little bit in the fact he

was saying that although Federer is still a great player, you doesn't

move as well, you's not as fast as he was. You know him well. Is that

right? I think that is probably right because he is 32 and it is not

going to get any easier. But when you watch those rallies last night,

he was the one dictating a lot of the play. Djokovic played

fantastically and responded in the third set but if Federer keeps

improving his game in terms of where he is at right now, I'm not sure he

can get some of the levels he did four, five years ago, but there was

of good tennis. He could still win big titles if he still plays. But if

he plays more of the inconsistent stuff and makes the unforced errors,

he won't do so well. At the age of 32, he is having to deal with things

that ordinary mortal human beings have had to deal with and it takes

the wind out of his sails. Watching him trying to cope with it, still

bring his best game onto court, it is captivating. He was chipping and

charging down the centre of the court last night! Watching Federer

really have to think his way around is brilliant. Best-of-5 sets, grand

slams... That is where it is going to get hard. But also, when you are

32, how is your enthusiasm, your work ethic on the practice court?

And his is first class so he knows he is putting in all the necessary

work to give himself the opportunity of playing well and I think,

irrespective of what happens for Federer at this tournament, he will

go away and have a very productive off-season and he will want to hit

the ground running in 2014 because he never really got any momentum

this year, and that Israeli important. If he does have poor

results and starts slipping further down the rankings, he will find that

hard, but for me, I don't see that happening yet. He certainly has the

crowd support. Yesterday it was amazing. We'll going to talk more

about Djokovic is the week goes on but, of course, it is Rafa Nadal in

the spotlight today. And he spoke to us about the problems with his knee.

I had to decide to go more often to the net and play with more

determination, play more inside the court, so... It is probably because

of the injury I am playing more aggressively and in a different way

than used to do it. And the knee is concerned particularly on the grass

where the ball bounces lower. Is it also a worry for you here on the

indoor courts? Or is it the nature of the grass that problems? It is

still when it bounces lower for me... Today is a bit tougher.

Because of the knee occurs it is not 100%. -- because it is not. But it

was great when I was able to play with free movement for most of the

season. That really is bad to hear the knee isn't 100% but he has had a

great year in spite of it. But it could be this surface that worries

the name or than others? Not everything is going to be 100%. --

and that worries the knee more than others. I don't think we should view

this as a massive surprise because if you speak to Andy about his back

and he said, for 18 months it hasn't been perfect. I am sure Djokovic,

Federer, they have had back issues and they are all going to have

niggles. It is just how you manage it. It is amazing with what Nadal

has achieved, how he still has the passion and enthusiasm, the

motivation to keep trying to improve. He was talking there about

coming forward and I would be surprised if he hit more than three

volleys in the match. Staying inside the court? Yes, playing more inside

the baseline and taking a few more risks, trying to enter the point. I

look forward to seeing the chipping and charging. These two are unbeaten

so a semifinal place beckons for them, in some ways, and Nadal, if he

wins in two sets, he is automatically through. What is the

advice to him when you look ahead, and this is their fourth meeting

this year? What can you do? Where can you attack? Probably in the

locker room! But here they have there own locker room! But Wawrinka

is serving over 140 miles an-hour so he does have the weapons to attack

Nadal. He has very, very strong ground strokes and I think if you

are a right-handed player playing against Nadal, you have to have a

strong backhand, because that is where he will go crosscourt into the

backhand, Nadal. Wawrinka has a strong backhand and where he gets

exploited is with his movement. When Nadal hits a good shot, he gets the

first one back but if he is not quick enough back to the middle than

the holes appear, and I think that is where we will see Nadal exploit

the brink's lack of movement. Because his forehand has improved.

-- exploit Wawrinka's lack of movement. We will keep an eye on

stand. Thank you very much, Tim. If you want to contact us, you can. You

can send us a tweet on the Facebook page or on Twitter using #bbctennis.

We are ready for this one anti-wellhead to the commentary box.

Andrew it is all yours. -- and Tim will head to the commentary box.

Beautiful single-handed backhand. We'll have to be in great form for

this match. -- he will have to. 28 years of age, he has had a

high-ranking. Met Berdych in his first match, so full of beans after

that one. He has an underestimated side on

that side 138 miles an hour! Well dodged by

one of the ball kids! And there it is. The backhand crosscourt

finishing the game and a lovely settling start for the Swiss number

two. You played with Greg Rusedski under the British banner, didn't

you? At the end of season champs? Do we have to talk about that? We did

once, yeah. I had qualified for the semis already, I hasten to add, when

I lost in a pathetic performance! Rig did play well! -- Greg

Rusedski. They are going to lay a clay court on the outfield at San

Diego for Fabry. -- February. And it wouldn't be their favourite surface

but it probably favours them more than us.

I like that move. Undoubtedly something he would have thought

about and talked through and thought through. If you see a second serve,

whack it, is that it? Absolutely. It is just one point that shows his

ambition. Spanish Davis Cup captain. A new

appointment for the former world number one, Carlos Moya. The senior

Majorcan on the Davis Cup outfit. Played a big part in the development

of Nadal growing up. I mean, to look up to somebody like that who was at

the top of the game... He was 15, 16, 17. To be able to talk,

practice, glean advice. Valuable for Nadal.

I think they ask Nadal when he was young whether you would like to have

a career like Carlos Moya, who was number one at that -- who was near

the top at that stage, and he said, no, because I think he wanted to do

better than that! Rafa Nadal was playing against

Ukraine in a world group play-off match this year. So a really big

match. They got him out, with his coach and uncle, and he beat stack

of ski. He won the first 12 games. 6-love. Never a bigger monster on

clay than Rafa Nadal. I would say well done to Stakovski

for getting four games! Back to this matchup. If you are a right-hander,

I think if it is a two-handed backhand it is even better because

when Nadal hits that high top spin, if you have one hand up above

shoulder height, that is not easy. Well handled from Wawrinka as Nadal

steps into that forehand return. Had to keep his eye on this ball, get

the weight down and stay with it. Wawrinka doing well but very early

stages here. That was heading in. It caught the

top of the net and didn't help Nadal. That is why he is cross. When

the doll comes at you, Tim, when you got that single-handed account, like

Federer, like Wawrinka, presumably you have to slice, go deep and hit

it as hard as possible but then he goes for that forehand. Yes, that is

right. Carlos Moya said you, -- you cannot slice to him.

Good hold. Second point was key for Wawrinka hanging in there.

Let me just give you some news from the tennis world that yesterday

Viktor Troicki, the Serbian player, former top 20, was banned until July

for failing to provide a blood sample having been notified by a

chaperone of his selection to provide one, and that was back in

Monte Carlo in the spring. The initial ban was for 18 months but a

court of arbitration of the sport tribunal said that his recollection

was "coloured by his subsequent reconstruction of events" . And it

is such a subjective interpretation. In other words, he

didn't test positive but by failing to provide a sample or inadequate

explanation, he has to suffer a band. It is 18 months, now it is 12

and he will be back in July. It came down to the word of the player and

the tester. Tim, your views on the fact that case? Well, the facts, I

would like to know all the facts. But it seems like it was his word

against the person doing the testing. But for me as an athlete, I

know if I am asked to do a drugs test, whether it be during or blood,

and I don't do it that day, I don't care what anyone says, I know I am

in trouble, so for him to think that he was potentially going to be

okayed to do the test tomorrow, it wouldn't have been my thinking, put

it that way. -- going to be OK. He says the tested and clearly

present him of the severe consequences he would have if he

avoided that but a pro knows those consequences. And if he doesn't,

that is also his fault. Great tennis from Wawrinka. And

you've got to say after that point, tipped his hat, and say well played.

Ten titles this season for Rafa Nadal, who came back after seven

months off. His worst loss undoubtedly in this city. At

Wimbledon losing to Steve D'Arcy of Belgium.

Incidentally, Steve hasn't won a tall level match since then. Goes to

show the depth, doesn't it? -- hasn't won a torn -- tour level.

Not a particularly instantaneous challenge but the energy is there.

I think in terms of this matchup, it is as good a time the Wawrinka to

play Nadal as it could be. He has lost all 11 meetings. This is

Nadal's least favourite surface. He has got to a tie-break four times

in those 11 matches and lost all four of those. He has played a world

number one on 14 occasions, who ever it may be and has lost all 14 of

those. If you are looking at this from a betting point of view, you

would be looking at Rafa. Those two forehands were kind of the

right shot. I don't think he got into position and then maybe

unforced errors. That is a pretty backhand. It has

kept him in the game. Very well that point. Not an easy shot, low

backhand over the high part of the net, down the line. Set up the smash

that he put away well. Definitely been a big improvement on

Wawrinka's served over the last 12 months.

It is confidence. Great leg strength from Wawrinka. That was a bit

rotten. It is a break of serve. Before we go any further, a big

shout out to those from Great Britain, the wheelchair tennis

Masters in California. Gordon Reid a winner in a pool match.

The wheelchair players commit every bit as much as the able-bodied

players. You have Magnus Norman, one of the best coaches in your corner.

What would you say, if you could come out and speak to Wawrinka, what

would he say to him? That last service game is the predicament the

Wawrinka. He had the right game plan, but when you analyse what

happened, he missed a forehand on the first point, a forehand on the

second point. He played a good point on the third. He made another

unforced error and then served an ace and a double fault. He made for

unforced errors in the game. He had the right game plan, can be

executed? That is basically the trouble of anyone playing Nadal.

Such a narrow margin. You have to stay patient. But if you are to

patient, you will lose the rally. You have two attack at some point,

and that is a risk. You are kidding! What are you

supposed to do with that? ! Lovely play from Wawrinka. And that was a

proper piece of court speed from Nadal. Watch him take off and then

watch the ball. Good effort from most people just to get the ball,

but then get the racket behind it and get it across court, brilliant.

You did not ever play him on clay did you? I did, briefly. Practice? I

played him in the third round in Rome. It lasted about two hours.

Third round? Had a toilet break, a couple of injury time outs. A shower

and a meal! It a challenge, mentally as well the

Wawrinka. Has really got to try and take his

time. Keep a clear mind of what he is trying to do. But it is just not

easy. It can end up feeling embarrassing.

It can end up running away from you. It gets quicker in between points.

Fantastic day. It is a tactic every right-hander has to use against

Nadal. -- fantastic play. It is a rare thing for players in

tennis for players to move through the rankings and end as number one.

Only three players in history have come from outside the top three to

get the number one spot back. These are the two players who could finish

the end of the year as world number one.

It is all possible, but it is in Nadal's hands. If he wins this match

or another one this week, he will be world number one again at the end of

the season. It has been an amazing comeback. Everyone was so

fascinated. He chose clay to resurrect his career. Then to win

ten of the 16 tournaments you play, it was very unlikely. I don't like

it when he says that his knee is hurting again. I think he said it is

not perfect. I hope we don't have to read too much into that. The reality

is, all of these guys are going to have niggles. Andy's back isn't

perfect, he had to have an operation. Hopefully that is getting

better. But it is how he manages his knee.

When you go into a Nadal forehand, you know you have got to go in with

strength. Wawrinka was able to get that ball off the court, forced the

error from Nadal. First break point to get back on level terms.

He waited for that and he had it! It was the right shot. There is a sense

in here that as that rally developed he was just looking to soak the

pressure up and then turn it around. The backhand was the chance.

Nadal was winding up on that forehand.

That is his weaker side. These are the shots you have got to come up

with if you are going to have an impact against Nadal. Early

preparation. Total commitment. It was a point ending shot, one way or

the other. We saw one of them from the other

end, early in this set. Taking that second serve and nailing it. Not

quite that time. Good play and good second serve from Nadal. Only 72

miles an hour, but it was the direction that was useful.

Nadal just flicking the ball up. Yes, right-handed. Does everything

right handed apart from playing tennis.

Why doesn't he play right-handed then? I think it goes back to uncle

Toni when he was young. Wanted him to play left-handed, thought it

would be advantageous. Thought his game would match up better against

Federer's when he was six! We can debate the decision. He would have

been really good if he was right-handed. I think it has worked

out OK! Two break points, he had to face.

Came through it. 136 miles an hour. He has made Nadal

serve for this first set. Let's have a look at Wawrinka's year. He will

finish for the first time in his career, that has included a gold

medal in the doubles in Beijing, he will finish in the top ten. 24

tournaments played. At the start of the year, the Australian Open, he

lost to Djokovic in an absolute marathon. Five hours they were out

there. But it gave him such a lot of belief. His Grand Slam year was

tremendous. He lost to Nadal, but a semifinalist at the US Open where he

lost to Djokovic again. It was a hearty match for him to get his

teeth into and make his reputation again. I think it is about self

belief or him. You pointed out the match in Australia when he played

five hours. He has been a solid top 20 player for a number of years.

When he looked at that match and the opportunities he had, he could have

beaten Djokovic. From there it has been onwards and upwards. In the US

Open, again he had chances against Djokovic. He has the opportunity of

finishing as the Swiss number one. Not bad in federal's era. The US

Open was over five sets and he beat Andy Murray in the semifinals.

He must break Nadal's serve now, or the set has gone.

Great start to the game the Wawrinka.

He is probably able to handle those high-kicking, top spinning forehands

slightly better than federal, isn't he?

His backhand is going through the court. Even better than this hugely

top spin forehand from Nadal. And that is the reward. On the two break

points, Nadal has a time violation. He has got it! Back in the set! He

breaks Nadal! And this is by far the best

afternoon match we have had now because Wawrinka has come out here

and he is happy to slug it out. And he believes, his reaction getting

that break point Dr Martha Clokie -- getting that break point... Getting

the returns. He now really has two get back to work on his own serve.

No time to celebrate. Finish this game off now! And

suddenly the pressure's right back on Nadal, who's serving for the

set. What a game! Nadal powerless as

Wawrinka serves into a 6-5 lead. And the point you were making was, if

you got the momentum, keep it. Don't even for a moment take your foot off

the gas because then it could be juice and then you are under threat.

-- deuce. There was a let down from that. A love service game with a 137

mile an hour serve on this last point and that fantastic lunging

volley. Look at that. As well as strong technique, you needed if a

bit of good fortune, but there are enough. As they say, you pay for the

whole racket, might as well use it! That game will come as a great

surprise to Nadal. In fact, the last two games.

250,000 people plus watching tennis in London in the winter. Wonderful!

2015, the last definite Championships here. What are you

hearing about the possibility of it staying? Is it likely to move? I

don't know. You've got to look at this event as a whole and it has

been absolutely fantastic. We talked about the highest attended week

tennis event in history. 17,500 every session. It's going to take a

strong case can do move it. -- candidate.

Nadal had 30-15 on his serve. Lost the points. Eight in a row.

Three disappointing points as far as Wawrinka is concerned. His resolve

tightens up. Could be hitting for a break here. They have played four in

total. Won 11 matches, all 24 sets. Nadal.

So, where we are now is the closest Wawrinka has ever come to winning a

set. That is exciting. Well, two of the tie-breaks. One he lost 12-10 in

Shanghai this year. I will take Wawrinka! I will get you

a cup of tea from the free restaurant!

You see, Wawrinka has to get the wind back in his sales here. --

sails. UMPIRE: Mr Nadal is Charlie lunging

the call. -- is challenging. The call stands. A bit of a donation

there from Nadal. He had his own mini run going. Six points.

Carlos Costa to the left as we look, in the middle now. Manager, a former

player himself. Excellent top ten player on clay. He manages Rafa's

affairs. He's not a hard sell. But he is a one-man brand, as all

the top players are. He's got a watch deal that would

make your eyes water! He has been wearing it this week! Incredible!

Such is his iconic status. This is the one tournament he has never won.

Nadal with a towel on both sides at his end of the court here. Really

perspiring heavily. It is a hot arena this year. It feels hotter and

the tennis is probably a bit livelier as a result.

One of the features of Nadal against Ferrer in the opening round was he

gave no possibility for Ferrer to attack. That ball dumped in the

middle of the court, that is why Nadal 's cross. It is a short ball.

It is just sitting there and asking to be, really. And now Wawrinka

knows if he can pick up one of these next two points Nadal's serve, he

could have the set. What a forehand! The link from

Nadal. That ball was out until the moment it landed! Would love to know

what the revolutions were on! And immense forehand in the middle of

that rally. -- were on that! Klara Oh! What defence from Nadal! How

does he do that?! You saw him slice and you knew that

Wawrinka was going to be able to attack. And he did, perfectly!

Somehow Nadal gets it over his head. You've got to say, there was an

element of luck in that shot from Nadal. But he meant it.

Oh! That is so unlucky and you can understand why Wawrinka is going a

bit nutty there! He smashed his racket, it is over there, it is

crumpled! So disappointed! And I'm afraid he will have to have a

warning. And he gets one. It is a code violation. But you have

sympathy for him. Just tumbled and it was a volley that he should have

had. Just over an hour's interesting tennis. Nadal has the set.

SUE BARKER: Wow! What a fascinating set of tennis. It looked like it was

going Rafa's way and then stand got back in it. What a missed

opportunity! So Rafa has taken the opening set. This is how the group

stands, with Rafa in the driving seat in that match. Two unbeaten

players going into tonight. And that is Berdych against Ferrer, and you

can follow that on the BBC sports website. And then tomorrow, we will

see Roger Federer against Richard Gasquet. Juan Martin Del Potro and

Novak Djokovic, the two unbeaten players in their group, both coming

through in three sets. And Roger Federer can still keep his hopes

alive of getting through to the semifinal against Richard Gasquet.

That is live tomorrow at 2pm on BBC Two. And we will be seeing Roger

Federer later on this afternoon as he receives three awards out on

court today. The Humanitarian Of The Year Award, The Sportsman Award and

the Fan Favourite Award. What a match they are being treated to this

afternoon. Rafa has set up one place away from the semifinal, ensuring he

will end the year as the world number one. But he has his work cut

out. How can stand react after that missed opportunity in the

tie-break? -- how can Stanislav react?

ANDREW CASTLE: Thank you, Sue. That always came back and hit him in the

head. And having hit the umpire's chair, he threw it over there. The

ballgirl went to pick the racket at Wawrinka and he asked for it back. I

can't believe... ! I mean, that was a put away volley. He crashed the

approach shot and then it was like somebody tripped him when he was

coming into the box. I was going to shout" penalty"! But there it is. On

the big screen. There you go. I have build the's tea. Strong, one sugar.

I'm just looking to see where the staff are! To play a point like that

from Wawrinka, and he played such a good set. He fought and then broke

back. Just in the tie-break... And then something like that happens on

set point. You add into the equation that is the 25th set he has played

and never won one. You just think, is this meant to be?!

Well, Wawrinka reacted well. Disappointment from the first set

and so close to winning his first set. Down quickly in this game but

he has put himself in position again. Very composed. It's what you

learn as you get older. And the average age of the top 200 in the

world is getting older. It is about understanding your game. It is not

just physical. What are they talking about? I think

Wawrinka might have been complaining about Uncle Tony! A few smoke

signals. UMPIRE: Mr Nadal is challenging the

call. Let's just listen in here. Normally

he is not like this. You think it is normal? No, OK. Well, if they are

talking about Nadal's coach, Tony, his uncle, Carlos was just making

the point that today it is OK. Other days it is worse. Is that what they

were on about? I think in actual fact, Carlos was saying today is not

normal. Uncle Tony is talking too much. More than normal. And Wawrinka

is aware of it. He has mentioned it. But the umpire has done nothing.

So, what difference can coach make at the side of the court? I mean,

practically speaking, what is he going to say? Come in a little bit?

Slice to the backhand? What you want. At night? What are they going

to say that makes a difference, do you think? -- what do you want for

dinner tonight? Whether it is on the serve, the poor positioning, but the

bottom line is, whatever it is, it shouldn't be happening.

On the women's tour, they can request that their coaches, on once

a set, and actually sit there on court and have a few words. Would

you favour that in the men's game? No. Why is that? Because it is

one-on-one combat. You have to work it out for yourself. But in

football... At that is football. You make a substitute, you bring on a

player if you are playing badly. Nothing tennis.

And then Wawrinka goes up the other end and has a chat with his coach!

This is the Nadal first-served direction in this match. Going into

the Wawrinka forehand, really tucking him up on the side, whereas

it is pretty much 50-50 on the other side. Strange for a lefty, though,

to be serving that much down the middle.

Possibly respecting it. I don't think he fears anything.

That is interesting. We have just seen a graphic saying Nadal was

serving most of the time to the forehand in that rocks. When he goes

to that Arcand, that is what he can do. -- backhand.

Wawrinka was off after that one. He did not hang about admiring the

chip, he was anticipating for Nadal volley.

It is the right place. Waited for his opportunity and then went for

it. Has got to make one of those opportunities count.

The temptation to go for it too much against Nadal is there? He has to,

but it is a balance. When you think about these break point

opportunities, you have what to go for it.

Magnificent. From the moment he has a chance to come forward, just a few

feet, into the corner and he takes it. Quick thinking.

Lots of ways to get in touch with us.

Tim Henman, do you think Stan will win a grand slam? If yes, which one

will he have the best chance of winning? I don't think he will win a

Grand Slam. He is a fantastic way, but I look at his generation and the

players around him, there are too many good players. Stuart says, does

a heavier racket favour more top-spin? Not necessarily, it might

mean a heavier weight of shot, but Nadal uses a light racket. The

weight is distributed in the head that generates the racket head

speed, that generates the top-spin. The Japanese player was only using a

racket of 289 grams. That seems very light? I would use God -- golf clubs

if I can. You like heavy rackets? My racket was about 368, strong. It

wasn't heavy, it was distributed evenly. Andy Murray used to use a

heavy racket. About 400 grams. I think it has got lighter these days.

Ivan Lendl used the biggest of all. You could have chopped trees down

with that. It is about what's works the U. -- it is about what works for

you. Not another one. He did not trip

over on this one, but that was a big miss. If you could speak to

Wawrinka, you would say to him, you have got the right game plan, not

playing badly. Just got to find that extra 5% to win that type of point.

It is a break of serve. Wawrinka has been here before in the first set.

He fought back valiantly but wasn't able to win it and break Nadal,

until the tie-breaker. Wawrinka might not yet be out of it.

Credit to Wawrinka. He won't go away. He is hanging on in there.

Nadal did not challenge. Why didn't he challenge that? That is unusual

lack of concentration from rapper. It would have been 40-30. -- Rafa.

After a strange non-challenge at 30-30 from Nadal, he had the ball

down the side down the line. He did not challenge it. He has had to save

a break point. Now he is racing towards this year end, number one

ranking. Just confirmation that Djokovic is

running out of time as far as his chances are concerned. Simple as

that. Rafael Nadal must not win another match this week, and he is

about to. We understand Andy Murray is recovering well. That is good

news. Roger Federer down at number seven with the man we are watching

here, at number eight. this has been the pattern so many

times. He has earned the opportunity to go for it. Great return, blocked

it. Their defensive reply from Nadal gave him the opportunity on the

forehand. He has had his chances. This time he was able to get the

Spaniard off-balance at the back of the court. An achievement itself!

Half a chance for the Swiss player. Size that attacked up beautifully.

He'd picked at Nadal's forehand well. Nadal had time to go anywhere.

Wawrinka responded with strength. Two more break point opportunities.

Not only does he not trip over, he gets the net cord his way. He climbs

back into the set. Well done. That was a measured attack. He has been

an absolute force this year, so much different than in previous years.

Much more likely to see him coming in. He has had a lot of

opportunity, half chances that he had not been able to convert. This

time he moves forward, a little bit of help from the net cord, but I

still think it would have been a winner.

Karen says, who is the most likely winner to win several Grand Slams in

the next few years? There has been a lot of talk about Dimitrov. Federer,

Nadal, Djokovic, they will not play for ever. There has to be the next

generation coming through. We need the next generation coming

through. We have been so spoiled with the stars we have had in the

last decade. Does del Potro have a good chance to win this tournament?

Yes is the answer to this question. He has beaten gas get already. He

now has to play Djokovic and Federer. He will play Federer

tomorrow. He beat him in Switzerland two weeks ago.

Djokovic against del Potro tomorrow, I beg your pardon.

Wawrinka was down and out a few games ago. Now he is right back in

it. Tomorrow afternoon it is Federer

against Gasquet. In the evening it is Djokovic against del Potro.

Tonight it is David Ferrer against Thomas Berdych. Just won three games

in a row and he changes his racket. It does seem strange, doesn't it? I

could understand if it was a ball change. As far as I am aware, still

got four more games with these ones. Nadal got a warning earlier on, only

25 seconds between points. That is a shot you don't see at your

local courts too often. How would you describe it? A back to the

nets, round arm... An hour and 44 minutes after a long

season. Is someone going to fatigue? It is becoming arduous, isn't it?

Concentration from Nadal. He has lost three games in a row. A few

more unforced error is from Rafa. This is a big point right now.

Clenched fist from that dilemma as he hangs on in there. Pushed, pulled

and tested on his own serve by Wawrinka. Can't really train spirit

into a player, can you? When you play something like Nadal, you are

playing the willpower as well as the shot. He has to be right up there,

doesn't he, with the likes of Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe. The strength

of character comes through. Who would be your group, your

generation? Well, in a different sort of manner it was Pete Sampras,

really. It was his relentless belief in his game and his capabilities.

When he was hitting those second serves... Even when he missed them,

which he did, still to stand up there and go for the corner at 115

miles an hour on big points. He never let anything distract him from

his mission, and that is why he will go down as one of the greats of all

time. Rafa Nadal has 13 grand slam Championships to his name, two this

year. The US Open, the French Open. He has only played it nine times!

One of the great sporting records! But surely more to come from Nadal,

who is just itching to get a break of serve hip. And close this match

out. -- a break of serve here. This is not an easy shot when you

are down six - five, 6-7. Not quite up to the net reverse flip. But it

wasn't far off. Ooh, this is uncharacteristic, isn't

it? Oh! Nailed the point! That was just

a slap on the baseline. Interesting to see the pace of that forehand at?

-- forehand! Absolutely. An absolute rocket. Wawrinka really up here. Was

4-1 down in this set and is right back in it. Looking to pulverise

some second serves, possibly. Rafa talked about how he was looking

to play a bit more aggressively and looking to get into the net is a bit

more, and at this stage of the match, he has definitely covered

some court and might be looking to shorten the rally is a bit. -- the

rallies. In full flow, what a sight! We don't

really see him at the net that often but you only have to look at that

volley, you have to look at his doubles record, and he can volley.

This is a massive game from Nadal. He's pushing himself here.

Gasquet or Wawrinka best for you? I will take Stanislav's. It is a wider

swing. Gasquet gets pulled wide a bit more than Wawrinka.

They are just pushing the ball! What a strike! All it does is keeping in

the game but just enjoy it. Some people don't serve that hard! Let

alone hit backhands! 95 miles an hour. A backhand winner. Off

Nadal's forehand. Clinical finish! First-served. And

they whipped forehand. 6-5, Nadal. -- and a whipped forehand. So, they

get these rackets strung up, all of them, everyday, or some players do.

A lot of the players, and it started with Ivan Lendl, they change every

ball change, so you are bringing out the new string when you have got new

balls when they are going to play the same way, so in a three-set

match you will have one to warm up within the morning and then five new

ones for a three-set match. That is one of the sites, isn't it?

And one of the great comebacks, really, after seven months out. --

one of the sights. It was virtually impossible to see whether he would

come back at all, Nadal. And he has come back, won ten tournaments he

has played in. And we had Serena coming back in the game, Monica

Seles after she was stabbed, attacked in Hamburg. These are all

great sporting comebacks. Agassi? Here's another we should add. From

143 back to the world number one! Or evenness of itch wasn't even a

comeback. He wasn't even seeded but one it as a wildcard. -- Ivanisevic.

What year was that? I can't even remember! That was a semifinal

again, was it, Tim? Delicate shot. It was a difficult

question to answer, wasn't it? Came off the strings entirely. Doesn't

matter. Would like to see another tie-break

here. Danger signals now. That was long.

Approaching two hours of play. Oh! That was gutsy from Wawrinka and

he is feeling that! Every stroke of that, stretching the sinews! Both

men soaked with the evidence of their efforts. The final shot in

that one was an error. This point to take us to a tie-break. This point

for double or nothing on the tea. Well, you owe me a cup of tea,

whatever! And that is the tie-break. Who are you having? Stan! OK,

well... I'll put another cup of tea on it. 25 sets, they have played,

these two, and Wawrinka has never won one single set. They have played

11 matches. Stan has never won one of them. He has lost the world

number one, whoever that may be, on 14 occasions. So he's playing

against a bit of history here. If Nadal wins this tie-breaker, you

will end the year as world number one. -- he will.

Wow! That's a lot of forehand, it is a whack! Mum and dad. Of Nadal. That

footwork, off forehand, so sure. Top spin taking it out of court.

He's not going to miss that forehand. It's going to hit him even

if it comes from outer space. I'm not convinced that came off the

middle of Nadal's racket but it was certainly an effective return. Gets

the early mini-break. Well, that backhand return was

another. It wrapped itself around the frame a bit. And this tie-break

is a drag for Wawrinka. Well, we could say he has made 33

unforced errors but he's trying to make something happen. Depends to's

counting. -- depends who is counting. 43. That is a lot.

Certainly didn't take much there down the line.

Oh! Toogood! -- too good! Sustained applause at the O2 for that. Just

stepped in about a foot or so. Up on the baseline. To cater for bit more

time away from Wawrinka. -- took a bit more time. Wawrinka needs both

of these points on serve. Great server. The backhand down the

line he hit when he was 3-0 down was crucial. Nadal has failed to

challenge that and it is out. That is the second time this has happened

on a big point. Sewing grossed, is he, in the task? -- so engrossed?

That was a great forehand! Both forehand! From Stan! The first one

really caught Nadal by surprise. Going, as it did, to the forehand

side with the strength, and then... Sort of a dead ball. He had to make

all the pace on this, up through the legs, the rotation... And the racket

swing. Look at the finish across the body.

Four points in a row, two against the Nadal serve. Now Wawrinka has

the set on his racket. 139 mile an hour first-served after

two hours and ten minutes. Still firing them down.

This time he finds his mark. Nadal has failed to challenge a couple of

times this set. He leaves that one. So it is set point. Wawrinka.

Textbook. First serve in, safe one out wide. Massive serve.

Just a tidal wave body serve. Just looking to get that forehand into

play and move forward on these courts.

And atmosphere to rival last night with Djokovic and Federer, as Nadal

closes in on his year-end world number one ranking.

That's it! Nadal will in 2013 as the world number one! That is what the

celebration is about! As well as the match! Just under two and a quarter

hours. What a year for this man! Warm appreciation here from the

capacity afternoon crowd at the O2 for Stan Wawrinka, who played his

part, had a set point snatched away with a forehand and an overhead

winner from Nadal. What a powerhouse! What a powerhouse the

Spaniard is. He is so difficult to beat. All this year, so obstinate.

He is yet to win this tournament but the celebrations at the end were

really about the whole year. Not just about this match.

Well, tennis is lucky to have this group of four at the very top. Andy

Murray out at the moment. Federer trying to stay with the younger men.

Djokovic, and then, of course, Rafa Nadal at the very top of the tree. A

stunning performance. There were errors at times but when it came

right down to it, you found the right place. Experience, physical

power... And just a forehand that is so breathtaking, you can never take

your eyes off it. It is a thing of beauty to watch. Lots of top spin.

And showing a willingness to come to the net quite a lot as well. Two

straight sets victory here and he will be going through to the

semifinals later on. And later, the two guys who lost in this particular

group will be playing. Tomas Berdych against David Ferrer. And it all

leads to the semifinals next Sunday and then the finals next Monday

evening. We will be with you for that on BBC

Three at 7:30pm. Who would say Nadal is not going to be there. Look at

the smile on his face. Unbelievable. He has had just the most amazing

year. Lots of unforced errors from

Wawrinka. But he was trying to make something happen, and he very nearly

did. Set point in the second set after being a break down. A great

year for him as well. He could still make the semifinals. Lovely to see a

smiling Rafael Nadal. And everybody at the O2 Arena is staying around

for the presentations and Roger Federer as well. But now, it is a

great afternoon's job. Rafa, an amazing win. You have

qualified for the semifinals. Perhaps even more important, you

have clinched the ATP World Tour Finals one ranking this year.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE three years ago you did it, it has

taken you another three years to get back to the top? Thank you very

much. A lot of emotions are there. It is a perfect scenario to be

finally the number one in this fantastic stadium in front of this

amazing crowd. Thank you for making me feel like this. The match was

very hard, Stan played very aggressive. He had chances. I was

lacking for a few moments in the last set. I am happy to be through.

It is great, after missing this tournament last year, it is great to

come back this year. Your team were very emotional as well. The team is

everything for me. Without them I know I would not have the chance to

be back where I am today. Being number one at the end of the season

is something really difficult. Such unbelievable competitors. Without

the team behind me, it is impossible to do something like this,

especially after what happened last year. Well done to them, over there

as you say. And finally, you must have a bit of sympathy, Stan came

out and probably played the best match he has ever played against

you, yet you still manage to beat him? It was a really hard match.

Against him in Shanghai, it was very emotional. He is a player who is

having the best season of his career. He is playing very big

serves. To win against him is a big challenge. I am happy for that. I

wish him the best of luck. Once again, congratulations. The ATP year

ends number one, Rafael Nadal. STUDIO: What a lovely guy. This is

how the group stands at the moment. Stan still has a chance of getting

through to the semifinal. Djokovic is just the head on game

difference against del Potro. The match we will be following is Roger

Federer up against Richard Gasquet. Fedor will be receiving three ATP

awards on this Court in a few minutes. We will be staying with

that. -- Federer. It was up and down tennis, a few unforced error is,

what a battle? Incredible. You think of indoor tennis, you think of quick

points, serve and volley. So many times when I watch Rafa, I will be

in the middle of a point, and you think he cannot win it. He is so far

behind the baseline, out wide. Time and time again he comes up with

these shots that are incredible. He has been doing it for the last ten

years, he can't be relying on luck. He is such a worthy number one. On

the back of last year and the injuries he had, to come back and

win, it is fantastic. His English has got better over the years, but

he is so humble and a great champion. Stan played his part. He

must be disappointed because he was so close in both sets? Tie-break, if

he cannot win a tie-break, he cannot win a set. All you can do is go out

and play to your strengths and he did that. He should hold his head up

high. Or him, at his age to have a career-high is fantastic. Who ever

wins the most Grand Slams in a year, most people would say, because

they are the pinnacle of our sport, you want them to be at the top of

the rankings and that has been the case with Nadal. The battle they

have at the US, Djokovic and Nadal, the US Open final was the key match.

We could have been without Nadal now. He has come back. I did not

realise how much it meant to him until the end when he was leaping

around and when he was signing the camera. Perhaps I underestimated

that. Easy for us to take it for granted that he will win two

matches. 12 months ago, he was not here, he was not even hitting tennis

balls, he was doing rehab trying to get his knee right. No wonder it

feels even sweeter? It is incredible. There must have been so

many doubts for him, his family and his team. When we were speculating,

we did not know what was going to happen. To see him back on top and

dominating has been fantastic. The presentation is going to take

place. This is the ninth time Roger will

win the Stefan Edberg award, and also the other two awards.

How about your biggest round of applause, his 27th award since 2003.

The incomparable, Roger Federer! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Roger Federer is the winner of the 2013 ATP Tour fan's favourite award

for the 11th successive year. Voted for by the fans, it is a moment to

savour. Congratulations, Roger. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Today this will, the greatest day of our lives.

Remarkably, your 27th award since 2003. I know that means a lot to you

because of what Stefan Edberg worked meant to you as a competitor. It was

very special, always. Stefan Edberg was my hero growing up and I always

admired his sportsmanship. So to follow in his footsteps and

hopefully be a good role model for future players is very important to

me. I always try to play fair. You have to be tough out there, it is a

tough sport, but I love the command -- camaraderie we have going with

all of the players. It is a great award to win and I thank all of the

players who have voted for me. That is an interesting point about this.

The three awards are all voted on in different ways. The sportsmanship

award is voted on by your peers, the humanitarian award is voted on by

the ATP staff and the fan's favourite award is voted upon by

people like yourselves. And this is the 11th year, so that

spans two generations. In this day and age with social media and

peoples opinions being heard, but the 11th time, you have been voted

the favourite player on the ATP were talk, how special is that? It is a

bit overwhelming. I have been in the game for a long, long time so that

as may be helped me gain a lot of support around the world. I am very

thankful to all you guys always showing up to the stadiums, the

ovation I get walking onto the court when I am being presented is

beautiful. I feel like I am playing at home almost everywhere I go. That

is what keeps me going, keeps me playing and working very hard. I

cannot thank everybody who has voted for me enough and all of the support

you have given me over the years. I am however great, so thank you. -- I

am for ever grateful. The third awards, honouring that,

the humanitarian work. I know what he means to you and what your thrill

and proper work means to you. How valuable is that, and update is

where you are at with the foundation? It is something very

personal on so many levels. It is not something I thought I could ever

do. When I was a little boy I was thinking about playing tennis. The

ATP Tour was my dream. And then I quickly realise that because we have

great leaders in our sport who have done great work like flash and Andre

Agassi, that inspired me as well. Today we are celebrating the 10-year

anniversary of the foundation. I am excited to do more things in the

future. We have touched the lives of 50,000 kids so far and we have an

ambitious goal to touch 1 million lives by 2018. So this award gives

me a lot of motivation and inspiration to go forward and push

and learn more about it. It is a great honour for me to receive this

award for the second time. Congratulation on behalf of the

fans, the ATP staff, the players and thank you for everything you have

done and continue to do for the sport. Roger Federer's 27th award

since 2003. STUDIO: Talking of humble

champions, there is another. Talking about the foundation he started in

2003. Supports children in Africa and in Switzerland. He is very much

involved in that and travels to those countries to see the work

done. And also the fan's favourite. 11 time he has won it. He got 56% of

the votes. Rafael Nadal was second. The sportsmanship award, he was

nominated along with del Potro, David Ferrer and Nadal. Those

pictures will take place for some time. That was lovely to see him out

there. It is a shame they did not announce it earlier because a lot of

people left. I am sure they would have stayed. Everyone is talking

about a bad year he has had, but now he has won four trophies. It is

thoroughly deserved. He is so well respected, a great ambassador for

the game and he is a great leader for the players. The greater example

Federer and Nadal have set for the younger generation, the way they

interact and how accessible they are with the media. And there persona on

court. It is first class and they have led from the front and put the

game in the position it is in the day. Three very honourable awards. I

think he takes the humanitarian award seriously. His background is

South Africa and he has seen a lot of hardship with youngsters growing

up there. We always think of him as being Swedish, but he is half South

African. He is always feeling the plight of children suffering in

South Africa. He will always be a fan's favourite. The way he plays

the game, the way he handles himself and the way he speaks. If only other

sports are people who speak so articulately. He wants to win tennis

matches still. The next time we see him he will be playing Richard

Gasquet probably to stay in this event. He will always be saluted. In

three years we will probably still be saluting him because he will

still be around trying to get into the top three. He will still be

winning the fan's favourite even if he is still not playing the game. It

is incredible. When you look at his record. We are talking about he has

only one won tournaments, but if you look at his record and what he has

achieved is is outstanding? The list of his achievements is endless.

Whether it is titles, grand slam titles, consecutive grand slam

quarterfinal. He is incredible. The some people, after the years -- the

year he has had and the losses he has had, losing in the second round

in Wimbledon, some people are questioning why he has the desire to

keep going. But I think that is the beauty of Roger Federer, he has an

enormous passion for the game. It is obviously much more fun when you are

winning, but even though he has not been as consistent, he still has the

desire to go out there, enjoy the game and the process and hopefully

to win more. I am sure if he did not believe he could not win any more,

he would not do it. In the last couple of weeks, he has been moving

in the right direction. He will want a good off-season this year, and

then hit the ground running in 2014. Djokovic saying, he is not as

fast as he was, and there is a lot of questions to be and said? Yes, he

can last for five sets, but can he give his best in those five sets.

The top three will capitalise on that, if he cannot. It is what

Djokovic does to Federer's second serve. In Paris in the final set,

Federer served nine points of the second serve and won one of them.

Djokovic has one of the best returns of server I have ever seen. How do

you resist that when you are five or six years old? 17 grand slam winner,

the great man himself trying to resist that. He has blown people off

the court long enough, but this is a different phase of his career. I

think Wimbledon offers the best opportunity. Absolutely, he has done

it before. When we have questioned whether he was at his best, he has

come back and proved us wrong. But when you look at the game, there is

Djokovic, there is Thomas Berdych, there is all of those. To win a

grand slam, it does not start at the semifinal stage, you have to beat

the players? Roger has showed this year he is human. If he does not

play well, he will lose early. You talk about this calibre of players.

Nadal had seven months off, come back and achieved the number one

ranking. That is because he is one of the greats of the game. Pete

Sampras lost a second round at Wimbledon and then people were

saying, he has got to retire, he is damaging his legacy. Three months

later, he won the US Open. That was against the odds, but that is

because he was one of the greats of the game. A lot of people have been

quick to write Federer. No doubt it will be a big challenge, but when

you have won 17, you have the experience and the confidence that

goes with that, I am reluctant to write him off. I would love to see

it because he will not be around for ever so we should make the most of

him while he is. Let's reflect on this afternoon. Rafael Nadal is such

a warrior, you talk about passion and desire to win, he has it? You

are not just playing against his shots, you are playing against his

willpower. I'm not sure you can train that in, it is something you

have inside you. It was such a shame that Wawrinka towards the end of

that set, almost tripped over. From the back of the court, you know he

will set up camp back there. It is a fireball. These are the points that

are key and this is the difference between players so often? Look at

that. And look that! How did he resist that backhand down the line

and get a lob over Wawrinka's head. And on this one. Even made him play

that one. It was almost a shame Wawrinka almost tripped over his

laces. The racket bore the brunt of it. Tim, you would never have done

that? Not with the cameras on! Wawrinka, you can do what you have

in you. Wawrinka did it out there and still got beaten. And also, to

play over two hours, and you have lost 26 straight sets and 20 -- 12

straight matches. But there is a lot of positives to take away from this

match. On the year he has had, he has to remember that in the

off-season. He did take some opportunities. He also made errors

as well. 45 unforced errors, but he had to go the shots and try to make

things happen? You cannot just keep the ball in and play to the middle

of the court. You have to be prepared to step in and take your

opportunities. He was looking to dictate with his forehand and his

backhand. At this stage he was down in the tie-break in the second set.

Comes up with the number Lee bubble backhand pass to win the point. He

then got himself to win four points in a row. That is the challenge of

playing Nadal. He does not know when he is beaten. He knows critical

situations at the first set tie-break, the end of the second set

tie-break, he was able to come up with something extra that got him

over the line. We talk about great athletes in the sport, and Nadal is

one of them? No wonder his knees are worn out. This is fabulous. That

ball. I heard you screaming by the way. I was in a commentary box about

three doors down. He did not ring he was going to get it before it

bounced twice. We have to see that again. We need to come up with the

correct term for this shot. It is the leaping, reversed salmon with...

He really does have some snap on Mac bracket. -- racket. Tim was talking

about his volley technique. It is almost perfect. He did say before

the match he wanted to be more aggressive in coming forward. This

is what it means to him. World number one. Got the job done. He

certainly did, full credit to him. I did not realise it meant this much.

Very emotional at the end of this. He did not know he was going to come

back at the end of six or seven months. It was a lovely touch. He

thanks his uncle and his family. I love to see that as well. The whole

family, the team, his support means everything to him. It gives him the

form to be able to get out there, Pratt is, train, go to the

tournaments and compete the way he does. He missed the Australian, so

he has a chance of going even further ahead? Djokovic will have

those to defend. Djokovic hasn't done anything wrong, he is on a 17

or 18 match winning streak with the win over Federer last night. Now he

is having the number one ranking taken off him. Who knows what

records Nadal will set. I think he will surpass Roger Federer, as long

as he is still fit. You look at this tournament and you have to say on

this torn on that -- surface, Djokovic is the favourite? The

conditions, how early he can take the ball. His game, how he matches

against Rafa, indoors I he is the favourite will stop but when you see

Nadal coming through a match like that, you cannot write him off. It

would be a fitting end if they could end up playing each other in the

final. Federer codes still win this, by the way. Absolutely, he is back

on court. We will be back tomorrow and another terrific match to look

forward to. Roger Federer inaction against Richard Gasquet. We both

lost their matches, so they need a victory tomorrow. Everyday we are

leaving you with the music chosen by one of the players. Today it is

stand. -- stand.