Both David Ferrer and Janko Tipsarevic went into their ATP World Tour Finals encounter knowing that neither of them could reach the semi-finals.
Nevertheless, the pair put on a show for the watching crowd, sharing three sets before Spaniard Ferrer eventually came out on top.
Below is our game-by-game updates of the match at London's O2 Arena.
Evening all. As mentioned in the introduction, disappointingly there is not a lot riding on this encounter as both players are out. Still, that doesn't mean that they won't be giving their all to win.
Have to admit that I feel a little sorry for Ferrer. He's already beaten Juan Martin del Potro and a victory here would take his win tally to two. Nevertheless, the mathematicians have decided that it won't be enough to get him through.
In contrast, Tipsarevic has not been at the races at this tournament. He came into it having only just recovered from a virus and it has shown in his performances. Had it have been an ordinary tournament, I'm pretty sure he would have withdrawn.
We will actually be underway earlier normal today. The doubles match involving Granollers and Lopez started at 6.15pm and has just finished. As a result, the players should on the court shortly for their warm-ups.
Just before things get started, let's run you through to repercussions of a victory for either player...
If Ferrer were to emerge victorious, Federer will top the group and will play Andy Murray. That would mean Del Potro ends up second and will take on world number one Novak Djokovic...
...However, if Tipsy was to win through, Del Potro would stay top and face Murray, resulting in a Djokovic vs. Federer showdown. Got it? Phew!
Right, the pair are just going through a few final warm-up routines. Tipsy is looking a little tentative at the moment. Hopefully he can overcome that.
Also, let's bring you some pre-match words from Tipsarevic. It would be fair to say he's not too confident: "I'm playing horrible. I'm playing worse than horrible. I'm playing the worst tennis that I played in a long time. It's sad to say, but this is the best I can do right now," he told Sky Sports News.
Right, Ferrer gets the match underway...
Early break point for Tipsy...
And Ferrer finds the net. Disappointing start for the Spaniard. In contrast, Tipsy has been waiting all week for that!
Good hold for Tipsy but all the drama is up Ferrer's end. Usually such a composed player, he smashed his racket on the floor and broke it. Perhaps he's a little gutted at having been eliminated without doing much wrong.
Another break point for Tipsarevic...
BREAK! It's a wayward forehand from Ferrer and Tipsarevic is currently cruising to the first set. The little Spaniard is clearly agitated.
Second hold for Tipsarevic puts him in complete command. Ferrer has won just six points in four games. If that continues, this will be over pretty quickly.
ACE! That's the Ferrer that we all know! An ace brings up his first hold of the match. It may be too late for this set, but hopefully it make a fist of things in the second set.
Well, well. Ferrer has a break point...
BREAK! And the little man gets it. Perhaps this set isn't over. That is bound to have thrown some doubt in Tipsy's mind.
However, Tipsarevic now has two break points. What a mad match...
Some calm net play from Ferrer saves the first one...
BREAK! It seems as though nobody wants to hold their serve at the moment! It's now 3-1 in Tipsy's favourite in terms of breaks. He will now serve for the set.
Set point Tipsarevic...
But a powerful stroke down the forehand win from Ferrer forces deuce. Tipsy will have to earn another chance.
Now Ferrer has a break point...
BREAK! No disrespect to either player but this is a poor game of tennis right now. Tipsy goes long and Ferrer has a lifeline.
It was by no means pretty, but Ferrer holds. Tipsarevic still has the break in his favour though and will now serve for the set...again!
Tipsarevic drives the ball into the net and Ferrer has a crucial break point. This will level up proceedings.
But the Spanish number two fires long and we have deuce. It's a wasted opportunity.
And now Tipsarevic has set point...
I'm not quite sure how he's managed it, but Tipsy somehow sends his forehand stroke off the court! Amazing. Deuce. However, the next point goes his way and he has another set point...
SET! At last! It's a powerful winner that brings up Tipsy's first set of week. That's bound to feel good. Meanwhile, Ferrer looks an unhappy man.
A teasing lob from Ferrer just beats Tipsarevic and the Spaniard has an opening hold. He's still well below-par at the moment though.
Three break points for Ferrer...
The first one is saved by Tipsy, who forces Ferrer back and the Spanish number two can only find the net. Two remaining...
BREAK! Ferrer is more cute this time around and sends a delicate drop shot just over the net, leaving Tipsarevic scampering. He doesn't make it and Ferrer as the important break.
It's a lot better from Ferrer, who seems to have awoken from his slumber. He's more sprightly around the court and is forcing Tipsarevic to make errors - something that was not happening at the start of this match.
Finally Tipsy gets himself on the board with a relatively straightforward hold. He will still be a long way behind though if Ferrer holds next up.
A sweeping backhand from Tipsy brings up a break point for the Serbian...
BREAK! Well that has potentially turned this set upside down. Ferrer goes horribly wide and Tipsy will now restore parity with a hold next time out. Again Ferrer smashes his racket on the floor - very unlike him.
A double fault from Tipsarevic hands Ferrer a break point...
But Ferrer returns a serve too long and we have deuce once again.
Another break point for Ferrer as Tipsy sends a drop shot into the net...
BREAK! Yet another break in this match! This time it's for Ferrer, who again has the advantage. Can he keep hold of it this time?
Ferrer showed just why he is the world number five in that game. His forehand shots across the court were a joy to behold. Tipsarevic had no answer. He will now serve to stay in the set.
It's a solid hold for Tipsarevic, but it will mean very little if Ferrer comes through the next game. If he does, we are heading into a decider.
Two set points for Ferrer...
SET! That's largely a professional job from Ferrer. He looked a lot better in that set. Although in fairness he couldn't have been much worse! He's got to be the favourite heading into this final set.
Good start for Tipsarevic as he serves out with minimal fuss. More of the same in upcoming games will do him nicely. Can Ferrer follow suit?
Break point Tipsarevic...
Oh no. Tipsy had that in his grasp but his backhand shot just goes wide. As a result, Ferrer escapes and we have deuce.
Some good character from Ferrer brings him back from break-point down to take the game. It's one game each now.
Now Ferrer has two break points...
BREAK! Ferrer forces the error from Tipsarevic and he has the break. He walks back to the chair with an air of confidence about him. That could be the defining moment in this match.
That's a great time for Ferrer to find a love hold. That sends out a real message to Tipsy, who now has to hold to just stay in contention.
Three break points for Ferrer. This could be over very quickly now...
BREAK! It's a double break for Ferrer now as Tipsy drives the ball into the net. He looks a beaten man.
There could be a twist in the tale though as Tipsy has a break point...
But he strikes the ball long, letting Ferrer off in the process. Deuce.
Hold! Ferrer was made to work extremely hard but was eventually rewarded. Tipsy is now serving to stay in the match.
Two match points Ferrer...
GAME, SET AND THE MATCH DAVID FERRER
Well if you take aside the first four games, Ferrer was by far the better player out of these two. It's a hollow victory though because he will not progress into the semi-finals despite winning two matches.
"Thanks a lot for the people who came to see this match and for your support. I enjoy it a lot. I am 30 and I enjoyed this year. Next week I will play Davis Cup and I will never forget this year," Ferrer told Sky Sports News during his post-match interview on the court.
Right, that is just about all we have time for at the O2 Arena. We'll be covering both of the semi-finals tomorrow - starting with Novak Djokovic vs. Juan Martin del Potro at around 1.45pm. See you then and thanks for joining us.
