But Switzerland's first-time participant in the year-end event will, however, need a victory from Rafael Nadal in a later concluding Group A match over Tomas Berdych.

A Nadal loss would give Berdych a spot in the final four alongside the Spanish world number one. Wawrinka was pleased with his battling effort against Ferrer in just over two and a quarter hours after throwing away the first set while leading 5-2 but losing in a tiebreaker.