I'll have to play my best to beat Murray: Nadal

Rafael Nadal. Pic/AFP

World No 1 Nadal set up a fascinating battle with fifth seed Murray after clinching first place in Group A with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 win over Tomas Berdych yesterday.

Murray has won two of his last three meetings with the 24-year-old, but he played down his chances of beating Nadal after he defeated David Ferrer to book his semi-final spot on Thursday.

Nadal dismissed those comments as an attempt to play down expectations and responded by claiming Murray might even be the favourite because the slow indoor surface at London's O2 Arena would suit the Scot more than him.

"It's easy, he wants to pull out of the pressure. If you talk about the specialists of tennis, everybody can say the conditions are a little bit easier for Andy than for me here. The court is easier for him than me," Nadal said.
"But we can talk for two days, the only thing that really matters is what is going to happen on Saturday.
"I know it's going to be a really difficult match. The only chance for me to win is play my best tennis and see if Andy didn't play his highest level. The pressure comes back to him now!"

Nadal has been in sublime form over the last week, winning all three of his group matches, and is widely expected to land the prestigious end-of-year event for the first time.

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