ATP World Tour Finals: Andy Murray fired up for his decider with Stan Wawrinka

Victory over the Swiss at the O2 Arena will ensure Murray ends the year as world No 2

Andy Murray must win to reach the Finals last four (PA)

Andy Murray will beware the power of Stan Wawrinka but as he prepares for their shoot-out at London’s O2 Arena, with a place in Saturday’s Barclays ATP World Tour Finals semi-finals at stake, the Scot believes that he can turn his disappointing defeat by Rafael Nadal two days ago to his advantage.

“I’m not saying that losing is ever the most positive thing, but if I had done very well here, played great the whole week, it’s easy to get a little bit complacent,” Murray said. “Whereas now I’m quite aware that my game needs to go up a level. I can’t have dips like I did [against Nadal].”

Wawrinka should provide a major test. Although the world No 4 looked out of sorts when he lost his opening match to Nadal, he came back strongly to beat David Ferrer on Wednesday.

Wawrinka is the only player to have beaten Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam tournament this year – in the French Open final – and has won two Grand Slam titles since Murray won the second of his at Wimbledon in 2013.

Murray, who would seal the year-end world No 2 ranking with victory, has not played Wawrinka for more than two years.

The 30-year-old Swiss has won six of their 14 meetings, including their two most recent Grand Slam encounters, at the US Open in 2010 and 2013. He has reached the semi-finals on both his previous appearances in the year-end finals.

“He’s played well here the last couple of years,” Murray said. “He’s always dangerous because he goes for it. He doesn’t really hold back. Sometimes he can make a bunch of errors and then in the space of a couple of games can completely change and start hitting winners from all over the court. He’s a tough guy to play against for that reason. He has a lot of power and he can almost take the racket out of your hand at times.”

Wawrinka said: “We used to have some big battles in the past, some tough matches, three sets, four sets. It’s going to be interesting how I’m going to play, if I’m going to bring the positive game that I started to play [on Wednesday] and also how he’s going to be. He’s having an amazing year. He’s No 2 in the world. He’s so dangerous indoors, especially at home.”

Nadal has won the group and Ferrer cannot qualify, which means that the Wawrinka-Murray match will be a straight shoot-out for second place, with the winner to face Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

He’s having an amazing year. He’s No 2 in the world. He’s so dangerous indoors, especially at home

&#13; <p>World No 4, Stan Wawrinka</p>&#13;

“We know we’re going to go on the court and the winner will be in the semi-finals,” Wawrinka said. “I think it’s easier, what you have to do. You know what you have to expect. You have to go for it.”

Twelve months ago Wawrinka came here in exactly the same situation as Murray, with his first appearance in the Davis Cup final looming.

Wawrinka, who went on to play a key role in helping Switzerland win the trophy for the first time, said: “Maybe he’s going to feel more relaxed, no pressure, go for it more – or maybe he’s not going to be completely here.”