TENNIS in DEPTH.

David Ferrer has promised Andy Murray a fight as the battle for semi-final places at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals comes to a head at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday night. The combination of results so far in Group B means all four players still have a chance to qualify, although only a thrashing for Roger Federer at the hands of Robin Soderling this afternoon could deny the 29-year-old Swiss a last-four spot. Murray, who is looking to bounce back from his hugely disappointing 6-4 6-2 loss to Federer on Tuesday, will at least know what he needs to do when he takes to the court against Ferrer. A win for Soderling would eliminate Ferrer and mean Murray must beat the Spaniard and then hope things work out in his favour. Defeat for the Swede against Federer, meanwhile, would leave the home hope needing only to win a set against Ferrer to qualify for the semi-finals for the second time in his career. Ferrer has yet to win a set at this year’s tournament but the Spaniard is renowned for his dogged determination and Murray has lost three of their four previous matches. His defeats have all come on clay, though, with the world number five claiming victory in their only previous meeting on hard courts.

Ferrer said: “I have a good record (against Murray) on clay, not on hard court. But I am confident. I finished the season in the top 10 and I don’t have any problems, physical or mental. “I know it will be a very difficult match. But it’s the same with all the players, we are the eight top players of the world. I will give everything, I will fight.” Murray will certainly need to up his game following his performance against Federer, when he was particularly let down by his serving and returning. The Scot said: “It’s a very tough match. He’s a really tough player. He makes many, many balls and he’s incredibly consistent. “I’ll have to try to use my weapons well. I have to serve well against him and get some free points.”

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