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LONDON -- Stanislas Wawrinka keeps reaching new milestones in 2013. Having played the best tennis of his life over the past 10 months, the 28-year-old Swiss made another statement by beating David Ferrer on Friday to reach the semifinals in his first appearance at the ATP World Tour Finals. "Its certainly a dream season," the seventh-seeded Wawrinka said after rallying to beat David Ferrer 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-1 in his final round robin match. "I started as the world No. 17, I then reached my first quarters at the French Open, I made it to U.S. Open semis and Im now doing well at the Finals. Its magic." Wawrinka still had a nervous wait as he needed Rafael Nadal to beat Thomas Berdych in the late match in order to advance. The top-ranked Spaniard had already clinched a place in the semis but didnt falter, winning 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to finish the group stage with a 3-0 record. The 28-year-old Wawrinka has long been known for his natural talent and formidable one-handed backhand, but has spent most of his career in the shadow of Swiss countryman Roger Federer and was beginning to be seen as a perennial underachiever. Thats changed this season, after appointing Magnus Norman as his new coach in April and working on his confidence and mental strength. The partnership immediately paid off, as Wawrinka beat Ferrer to win a tournament in Oeiras, Portugal, before reaching the final of the Madrid Masters. The Swiss defeated Richard Gasquet at the French Open then grabbed victories over Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray en route to his first Grand Slam semifinal at the U.S. Open. "Its a lot of small things that make huge difference," Wawrinka said of Normans help. "But for sure I think this year the most important was my self-confidence on the court. Now, when I come on the court, even against (Tomas) Berdych, against Rafa (Nadal), against Ferrer today, I know that I can beat them. Thats already a big step ahead." Against Ferrer, Wawrinka hit 35 winners, including 12 aces, to clinch his second win at the elite year-end tournament. Nadal just needed to claim a set against Berdych to be guaranteed of first place in Group A and lost his grip on the match in the second set, dropping his serve twice. However, Nadal made the decisive break in the eighth game of the decider after Berdych double-faulted twice. "I wish him a good holiday and good luck for the Davis Cup," Nadal said of Berdych, who will be playing in next weeks Davis Cup final between defending champion Czech Republic and Novak Djokovics Serbia in Belgrade. "In the second set he played great, it was very difficult to stop him." Defending champion Novak Djokovic has won Group B -- meaning hell play Wawrinka in the last four -- and the winner of Saturdays match between Juan Martin del Potro and Roger Federer will face Nadal in the semifinals. "Its an amazing week for me," said Wawrinka, who has claimed nine victories over Top 10 players this season. "I had to win against Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, I lost a tough one against Nadal. At the ATP World Tour Finals, it was quite a good level for me. Thats the most important." After spending his whole career in the shadow of Federer, Wawrinka now has a chance to finish ahead the 17-time Grand Slam winner in the year-end rankings. "But people should not expect me to win Grand Slam titles in the coming years, its not as simple as that," Wawrinka said. "My main goal next season will be to keep the same level." Serving hard and varying his play nicely, Wawrinka had the upper hand early on against Ferrer and broke for a 4-2 lead before comfortably holding serve in the next game. But the seventh-seeded debutant made three unforced errors when serving for the set, and Ferrer then used an aggressive net game to win four consecutive games, including one that lasted 14 minutes The Spaniards excellent spell abruptly ended in the next game when Wawrinka took his serve at love to force a tiebreaker. Ferrer, the 2009 runner-up, jumped to a 4-0 lead before his opponents 29th error of the match gave him three set points. Following another long exchange from the baseline, Wawrincka missed a forehand to lose the set. Wawrinka looked frustrated but it was soon Ferrers turn to wobble, with the third-seeded Spaniard making three unforced errors including his first double-fault of the match in the third game of the second set as he dropped serve and whacked his racket against the floor in anger. This time, Wawrinka held his serve to level the match. Two unforced errors by Ferrer in the first game of the decider gave Wawrinka an early break, and the U.S. Open semifinalist hit three aces in the next game for a 2-0 lead. Wawrinka broke again for a 4-1 lead and closed out the match with a backhand after Ferrer misplayed an easy volley. Buy Shoes Australia . -- John Senden never imagined it would take more than seven years to win again. Cheap Shoes Australia Free Shipping . In his first game with Boston University, the 17-year-old Eichel picked up five assists as his Boston University Terriers thumped St. https://www.shoesaustraliaonline.com/.Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Shoes Australia From China . -- The Florida Gators are first yet again this season. Wholesale Shoes Australia . The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics finished their recent trek at 3-1 on Monday in Salt Lake City when Rajon Rondo made a key jumper with 24.1 seconds remaining, as Boston held off the Utah Jazz, 107-102, at EnergySolutions Arena.MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama coach Nick Saban can make more than $55 million over the next eight years with the Crimson Tide. A unanimous vote by the Alabama system trustees compensation committee Tuesday made Sabans new deal official nearly seven months after the university announced the agreement. The 62-year-old Saban will make $6.5 million in base pay and what the university describes as a "talent fee" plus a $400,000 completion bonus for each year. Its a seven-figure raise over the eight-year contract worth about $5.6 million annually he received in March 2012. New offensive co-ordinator Lane Kiffin will make $2.074 million over three years. Alabama athletic director Bill Battle said that Saban, often rumoured for other college and NFL jobs, will "be our head football coach for many years to come." "He is the best coach in the country and hes brought Alabama back to the pinnacle of college football," Battle said in a statement released by the university. "His success on the field is obviously second to none, but Coach Sabans influence on academics and all the other areas of our athletic programs are equally impressive to me." Saban is one of four coaches in The Associated Press polll era to win four national titles, joining Alabamas Bear Bryant, Southern Californias John McKay and Notre Dames Frank Leahy.dddddddddddd "We are honoured by the commitment the University of Alabama has made to us with this new contract," Saban said in the prepared news release. "It is certainly a mutual agreement in terms of our commitment to the University of Alabama. We will continue to work hard to keep our football program among the nations elite. My passion has always been to develop young men to their full potential as student-athletes. "Weve had great success in that area at Alabama and Im appreciative of all the support and the resources we receive from the administration in order to make that happen." Saban has led the Crimson Tide to three national championships in seven seasons. Trustees also approved details on the contract for Kiffin. The former Tennessee and Southern California coach will make $680,000 salaries each of the next two years and $714,000 in the final year ending Feb. 28, 2017.. Other coaches got raises while defensive co-ordinator Kirby Smart had his deal extended one year through Feb. 28, 2017. He signed a three-year contract worth $3.85 million in 2013. ' ' '