David Ferrer and Milos Raonic ended their years (and began their new seasons) on a high with victories over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Kevin Anderson at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi, to set up semi-finals against Rafa Nadal and Stan Wawrinka respectively.

The exhibition event, now in it's eighth edition, sees six of the world's best players competing over three days before the competitive action begins next week; like a pre-season friendly in football as you might say, but provides precious court time following a tough and arduous off-season, packed full of training.

Ferrer thumps Tsonga

Ferrer breezed past an off colour Tsonga in just 54 minutes, double breadsticking his French opponent 6-1, 6-1. The world no.7 was impressive from the word go, carving through his opponent like a tenacious pitbull, which is what we often seen with the Spaniard. Ferrer was quickly into his rhythm, and broke Tsonga in the third game of the match. This began a run of nine consecutive games for the former French Open finalist, breaking Tsonga's serve at will. 

After the opening set flashed by, it was more of the same in the second, as in the second game, Tsonga blew a 40-0 advantage and then failed to take any of three break point opportunities in the next game, giving Ferrer a 3-0 lead. One ball was out of air, as Tsonga noticed, and it rather symbolised the Frenchman's day; physically he looked strong, but tactically was nowhere near his best. The defeat was inevitable and wrapped up a bad few days for male French tennis players: Richard Gasquet pulling out of the Australian Open and Gael Monfils withdrawing from the Hopman Cup. Ferrer served out the match and set up an intriguing encounter with fellow country man Nadal tomorrow.

Raonic impresses against Anderson

Canadian Raonic ended an injury-filled 2015 with a 6-3, 6-4 success over fellow big server Anderson and there were signs throughout that the world no.14, who was 10 places higher back in May before his injury troubles came, could return to those lofty heights as the new year soon dawned. Like Ferrer - Tsonga earlier in the day, Anderson seemingly had no answer to Raonic and a single break of the South African's serve ultimately swung the opening set in the 25-year old's favour.

Raonic continued to play consistent & impressive tennis in the second set, although he did blow three break point chances early on, allowing Anderson, who has had his best season to date, which included his first ever major quarter-final at the US Open, off the hook. Yet Anderson's serve was soon to breached again, giving Raonic a 3-2 lead, which he wouldn't let go of. Three comfortable service holds later and Raonic was through to the last-four, where he will meet French Open champ Wawrinka. Anderson will play Tsonga in the 5th/6th play-off match.​

​Results:

David Ferrer bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 6-1

Milos Raonic bt Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4

Tomorrow:

5th/6th Play-Off: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - Kevin Anderson

Semi-Finals: Rafael Nadal - David Ferrer, Stan Wawrinka - Milos Raonic

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