Ferrer Downs Tipsarevic, Federer Wins Group A

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Ferrer Downs Tipsarevic, Federer Wins Group A

By Chris Oddo

David Ferrer wins round-robin match against Janko Tipsarevic

(November 10, 2012) -- Neither player was going to qualify for the semifinals, but David Ferrer and Janko Tipsarevic still had a lot to play for on Saturday evening in the final round-robin match of the week.

First, there was the small matter of $130,000 to be awarded to the winner. Second, there was pride. Thirdly, and more importantly for many fans, Group A's winner depended on the outcome.

A Ferrer win would push Roger Federer through as the Group A winner, while a Tipsarevic win would see Juan Martin Del Potro take the group.

(Click here to read the rules on that.)

After falling behind with some atrocious play in the early going (Ferrer hit 7 winners to 13 unforced errors in the first set), Ferrer rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Tipsarevic.

Ferrer played a crisp second set, breaking Tipsarevic for a 2-0 lead when he dropped a forehand volley winner just over the net with the Serb spectating from the service line.

Tipsarevic would break back, causing Ferrer to smack his oversized Prince racquet on the hard court, but the Spaniard would return the favor in the next game to lead 4-2.

He closed the set without much resistance from Tipsarevic.

In the third set Ferrer drew first blood when he flicked a forehand off a ball that had bounced short after hitting the let cord into the open court for a winner for a 1-0 lead.

Tipsarevic managed one break chance while down 4-1, but Ferrer withstood the challenge to hold serve, then broke the Serb in the final game to close it out.

Ferrer hit 27 winners to 27 unforced errors on the evening, while Tipsarevic managed only 16 winners against 39 unforced.

The victory ensures Roger Federer of first place in the Group A standings. Federer will face Murray in Sunday’s semifinals, while Djokovic will face Del Potro.

(Photo Credit: AP)