The 2014 World Tour Finals singles field is set thanks to Milos Raonic’s quarterfinal win at the BNP Paribas Masters on Friday followed by David Ferrer’s loss. Facing a must-win situation, Raonic beat Roger Federer for the first time in his career. Ferrer had to answer with a victory of his own, but he fell to Kei Nishikori 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.
Raonic fired 21 aces compared to just one double-fault and he faced just one break point. The only break of the match came with Federer serving at 5-5 in the second set. Raonic broken then served things out with ease to achieve victory in one hour and 33 minutes.
“It would have to be up there definitely at this stage of my career, with the level I have gotten myself to, that’s for sure,” the Canadian said when asked if this was the biggest win of his career. “And considering all the circumstances around it, I think this was the biggest win for me.”
Arguably the day’s second biggest victory was delivered by Nishikori, who came within two points of a straight-set defeat before storming back to beat Ferrer in two hours and 43 minutes. Nishikori’s win dwindled the remaining London spots that had still been up for grabs from two to zero. It sent both the Japanese star and Raonic into the year-end championship while eliminating Ferrer.
Tomas Berdych had already wrapped up a place in London for a fifth consecutive year by improving to 12-0 lifetime against Kevin Anderson. Berdych got off to a slow start but managed to continue his domination of the South African 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4.
“Yeeeeeeees,” Berdych wrote on Twitter, adding a picture that said “Happy to be in London” and “#FinalShowdown”.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.
Topics: Atp World Tour, David Ferrer, Kei Nishikori, milos raonic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis
#FEDERER GOES DOWN TO @milosraonic, WHO ROUNDS OUT WORLD TOUR FINALS FIELD OF EIGHT BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co/z5pyrVQNak @rogerfederer
RT @10sBalls_com: #FEDERER GOES DOWN TO @milosraonic, WHO ROUNDS OUT WORLD TOUR FINALS FIELD OF EIGHT BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co/z5pyrVQ…