LONDON — Rafael Nadal outlasted David Ferrer 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4 Friday to finish the group stage unbeaten at the ATP World Tour Finals.
Neither player had much at stake as Nadal had already clinched first place in the group and Ferrer had been eliminated, but the two baseline sluggers still went at it relentlessly for more than 2 ½ hours in a match full of heavy hitting and long rallies.
Nadal earned the decisive break to go up 5-4 in the third set — having previously wasted five break points in a marathon first game of the decider — and sealed victory with a backhand volley winner.