Andrew Castle
BBC tennis commentator on BBC Two

"How many pairs of shoes do you think Ferrer brings to a match? He's like an F1 car when the camera zooms in at the end of the race and you see all the burned rubber."

Ferrer has gone up a gear, creaming a forehand into the space to go 40-0 up on the way to a comfortable service hold.

Image source, AP

Ferrer responds to the service break like a true champ, taking the first two points against the serve. Nishikori win a the next two, but then pulls a forehand into the tramlines. A long rally follows, with Ferrer largely in control, pushing Nishikori further and further back before the Japanese nets. All square once again.

Miles Maclagan
Former coach to Andy Murray and Laura Robson on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"That's a volley even Stefan Edberg would be proud of from Kei Nishikori. That's the absolute highest quality run of points in that game, he seems to be able to accelerate the pace of points from out of nowhere.

"The way he plays, his speed around the court is phenomenal."

Ferrer dumps a backhand into the tape and Nishikori has a glimmer at deuce. A brilliant backhand volley from Nishikori, picked up inches above the playing surface, gives him a break point. A superlative forehand crosscourt winner lands him the first break of the match.

Nishikori is only 5 ft 10 ins, but his favourite shots are down the line over the highest part of the net. Here he is under pressure on his serve though as Ferrer drills one into his toes at the net. He saves one break point then a second with an outrageous sliced forehand drop shot winner.

Tim Henman
Former British number one on BBC Two

Image source, Getty Images

"If I had to go for one, I'd say Ivo Karlovic, for the angles and the height I came down from. But being around 6'10" his was 'unusual'. The best 'normal' first serve I faced was Pete Sampras."

BBC Two are running a debate on the greatest server in tennis history. Here are a few of your entries to #bbctennis:

Joe:, external In general for me it would have to be Pete Sampras. Technique, accuracy & consistency

Adrian Ham:, external Best serve: Sampras. Great power especially second serve. Incredible ability to hit the lines on clutch points with 1st and 2nd

Rory Zachilroy:, external In terms of all time, Andy Roddick has a great shout.

Image source, Getty Images

Another blazing backhand from Nishikori gives us the first deuce of the match. He may be the one with the pecs and piceps but Ferrer is in danger of being overpowered here. Still, after saving a break point, Ferrer holds on to keep the match on serve.

Nishikori, in a crisp white cap, falls 15-30 down on serve but fights back with three successive winners. The first is a looped, deep forehand, the second two are blistering backhands down the line. What a talent this man is.

Miles Maclagan
Former coach to Andy Murray and Laura Robson on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"One thing we should address is the huge change in tactics for Kei Nishikori in the last couple of hours. Because he's gone from facing the big-serving Raonic to the grinding Ferrer - the two couldn't be more different and that's a big mental adjustment.

"Poor old Kei Nishikori. In any other year the alternate would probably enjoy a few nights out, a couple of dinners maybe. But the year he's got to face the alternate it's David Ferrer, who has been practising for hours."

This already looks a good contest with the muscular Ferrer against the subtle touch of the Japanese. One sizzling rally ends with a Ferrer backhand overhead. The Spaniard signs off with an ace and we're still on serve.

Image source, Reuters

Ferrer, whose dedication to the gym is well-known, looks as fit as ever. And Nishikori is soon under pressure at 30-30 on his own serve. But the Spaniard's next return goes long and Nishikori pulls out a big serve to level things up.

Ferrer starts like he's never been away, holding to 30 as Nishikori nets a backhand.

Image source, Getty Images

These two have met three times in 2014 - and each match has gone to a deciding third set.

Nishikori roared back from one set and 5-2 down in the Paris Masters quarter-final last month to beat Ferrer in three and effectively confirm his O2 qualification.

The Japanese has also come out on top of their other two titanic tussles this year with a 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 6-3 win in the Madrid semi-final and a 7-6 (9-7) 2-6 7-6 (9-7) fourth round victory in Miami.

So our first three-setter of the week then?

Vassos Alexander
BBC Sport commentator

"Ferrer is just such a beautiful hitter off both sides"

Miles Maclagan
Former coach to Andy Murray and Laura Robson on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"The last few encounters between these two have been particularly bruising. They are so similar, but the fact that Nishikori has played a couple of matches out here at the O2, and has a little bit more firepower, just edges it in his favour."

I make that $395,000 that Ferrer could make from about two hours' work. Anyone care to suggest a similarly lucrative (and legal) pastime? Get in touch via the usual ways and means. Tweet to #bbctennis,, external Facebook and text.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at the O2 Arena in London

Image source, Reuters

"It's been widely noted how diligently Ferrer has been practising all week without much likelihood of getting on court, such is his ferocious work ethic. It has also been noted that he had already pulled out of an upcoming event in India with a back issue. Anyway, the Spaniard will play in his fifth consecutive season finale and could do Murray a huge favour with a positive result.

"And if I might mention the vulgar subject of cash, Ferrer receives $85,000 for being an alternate and a $155,000 appearance fee, as well as $155,000 if he gets a match win. Which is nice."

Image source, Reuters

Milos Raonic on Twitter:, external "I am sad to announce that I have to withdraw from the rest of this competition, due to a low grade tear in my quad. It was a hard decision. You, the fans deserve a great show and I wouldn't step out if I couldn't. I am sorry for the fans. I will do everything to be here next year."