Stanislas Wawrinka has expanded his schedule in a bid to qualify for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London for the first time. Wawrinka beat Dmitry Tursunov, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), today to reach the Malaysian Open semifinals.
Wawrinka is currently in eighth place in the ATP Points Race, but world No. 3 Andy Murray is considered doubtful for the event due to his recent back surgery.
Wawrinka, who has 2,925 points, is just 130 points behind six-time ATP World Tour Finals champion and fellow Swiss Roger Federer in the points race. Wawrinka needs to reach the final in Malaysia this week to add to his points total. If he beats Julien Benneteau on Saturday he will pass Federer in the race.
“It's every player's dream to play [in London], it's something big and amazing, but it's better for me to take care of what is happening right now," Wawrinka told reporters. "If I want to be there, I will need to play well and win matches, so as long as I don't think too much, I'm sure I have a chance to be there."