ATP Tour - Murray extends run over Federer

Eurosport - Sat, 03 Jan 13:12:00 2009

Andy Murray recovered from a set down to beat world number two Roger Federer 4-6 6-2 7-6 (8) in the semi-finals of the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

TENNIS 2009 Andy Murray from Britain returns the ball to James Blake from the United States during the first day of Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi - 0

The world number four has now won three successive matches over Federer since losing in straight sets in the US Open final last September - extending his winning record over the Swiss to 5-2.

"It's always a challenge playing Roger," said Murray. "I've got the better of him on a few occasions, but in the big one we played, at the US Open final, he beat me pretty badly.

"Hopefully, I'll get him in a Grand Slam [again] one day.

"It would be nice to become the number one player in the world, but my aim for 2009 is to win a Grand Slam event, and I feel the Australian Open is my best chance.

"So this is a really nice preparation for that."

Murray will now face world number one Rafael Nadal in the final after the Spaniard came through his clash with Nikolay Davydenko 6-2 6-3.

Murray made a slow start to the match, dropping his serve in just the second game and allowing Federer to race into a 3-0 lead.

But he quickly found his composure, breaking back in the fifth game, whipping a forehand across court at an acute angle to deny Federer a game point before sealing the break by placing a drop shot right at the feet of his opponent.

Murray could not stick with Federer though and the world number two broke the Scot's serve again to steal the first set on a double fault.

But as is so often the case when Murray faces Federer, the 21-year-old recovered quickly from dropping the opening set and immediately took the lead in the second set.

Murray broke in the first and third games on his way to a 4-0 lead before Federer could finally get on the scoreboard.

Federer did manage to get one of the breaks back, in the seventh game, when Murray double faulted; however he dropped his serve again in the next game, throwing in a double fault of his own as well as a couple of backhand errors and a wild forehand across court.

Murray quickly levelled up the match, serving out the set after an hour and two minutes.

The start of the third set was all Murray as Federer lost concentration and dropped his serve in the third and fifth games to leave the Scot leading 4-1.

But a mistimed jump to a straightforward overhead forehand in the sixth game seemed to unsettle Murray as, despite laughing about it with the crowd, he dropped his serve in that game when Federer found a forehand volley winner. He then dropped another in the eighth when he slapped a forehand long of the baseline.

Two holds apiece later and the match went to a tie-break. Despite taking the first two points, two forehand errors in quick succession from Federer, combined with an ace out wide from Murray, allowed the Scot to take a 4-2 mini-break lead.

Another two forehand errors shortly after the change of ends from Federer gifted Murray three match points.

The first went begging when Murray hit wide off the forehand side before Federer saved the second and third, with a stunning forehand deep into his opponent's backhand corner and an easy forehand volley respectively.

But it was the forehand that let Federer down once again as he slapped wide to hand Murray a fourth match point before hitting long to concede the match.

In the other semi-final Davydenko got off to a great start, breaking Nadal in the opening game to love. But the Spaniard quickly recovered and dominated the rest of the set.

The second set went in much the same fashion, with Nadal dropping his opening service game before bouncing back to dominate.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport

Comment 7 - 26 of 86

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  1. Well Gezuk, it's pretty easy to explain.
    We just­ don't like the sweaty socks OK!!

    Well done you­ Andy, you did well.

    From El-Tony., on Fri 2 Jan 11:38PM

  2. murray is only british when wins .... wheenver he­ looses he is 'scot' anyone can explain why?

    From Gezuz.K, on Fri 2 Jan 11:29PM

  3. Listen, some of you,.. You don't have to explain­ him to others,.. Coz "He" is already labeled­ as "BEST PLAYER EVER TO PUT A RACQUET IN HIS­ HAND" ,..
    cheers..

    From Jane, on Fri 2 Jan 11:14PM

  4. just 2 let u know, lemma007, zidane did retire in­ shame.. anyone remember the 2006 world cup final?­ materazzi?
    and also murray refuses to say he is­ english, because he is scottish, Paddy get ur facts­ right, hes been claimed as BRITISH.

    oh and its quite­ obvious some people here are from america here..­ "grade 5"?

    From mathew.gifford, on Fri 2 Jan 11:10PM

  5. Federer is one of the best players of all times, when­ Murray equals his wins of grand slams them maybe you­ can crow about him until then I suggest you keep your­ stupis comments to yourself

    From bridgetf, on Fri 2 Jan 10:58PM

  6. I am a passionate fan of Rafeal Nadal, but I really­ feel for Roger because he is a great player. I would­ advice him to retire just like Zidane did in football.­ Let him retire without being disgraced. For Nadal,­ watch for the best of Nadal this season. Ride on­ Rafealllllllllll!

    From lemma007, on Fri 2 Jan 10:58PM

  7. wedubguy he's already been claimed as English!

    From Paddy, on Fri 2 Jan 10:31PM

  8. Murray is a very talented player. He knows that­ everyone will keep a eye on him this season, and he­ beats Federer on the first occasion. Of course the­ match was difficult, but it proves that Murray will be­ there to fight for the throne, and beating Federer­ doesn't afraid him anymore.
    I'm very excited to­ see Davydenko against Nadal : Davydenko has nothing to­ lose, and if Nadal is beaten, it will show if he is­ ready or not.
    Have a great tennis season folks !!

    From teddy.bear19, on Fri 2 Jan 10:23PM

  9. Coulda sworn the word was spelt cRiticiSe.But why point­ out the inaccuracies of others.....Well done­ Murray,looking forward to you not winning Wimbledon­ again this year.Bet you'll rapidly become English­ if you do win it though!!!

    From wedubguy, on Fri 2 Jan 10:20PM

  10. whoes he play in final

    From kevin p, on Fri 2 Jan 10:17PM

  11. who ever says federer needs to retire is a disgrace to­ tennis, he has been in every major semi for the last 5­ years and his consistency is ridiculous!
    he wins a­ major last season and he needs to retire does he? world­ number 2 needs to retire, i think NOT!!!
    murray is goin­ to win a major eventually, its only ametter of time­ and federe will win yet another major this year, I­ GUARANTEE!

    From adam_254680, on Fri 2 Jan 10:14PM

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    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: ­ PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP, LIGA, SERIE A,­ BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - UEFA CUP AND MUCH MORE
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    From , on Fri 2 Jan 10:14PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Come on Roger... I can't believe he keeps guifting­ matches to this little punk Murray!

    From johnka7a, on Fri 2 Jan 10:05PM

  14. the last post i wrote was for dangordon2000

    From mauricechlela, on Fri 2 Jan 10:05PM

  15. its a typing error u moron just like when i wrote seem­ with two m's. On the other hand u showed us ur­ degree of education in that sentence u wrote.
    My advice­ to u is to learn manners before coming public with the­ @#$% u write (assuming u did at least pass the 5th­ grade which i seriously doubt)

    From mauricechlela, on Fri 2 Jan 10:04PM

  16. Mark P you arrogant F... when you learn another­ language fluently then you can ctiticize other people

    From pantelis, on Fri 2 Jan 10:00PM

  17. you seriously expect sensible sports fans to swallow­ all that @#$% about the "old has been"­ gifting the match to Andy on the back of a string of­ errors?? LOLOL

    Nothing to do with the pressure he put­ Federer under with the strength of play, positional­ nous & overall elevated level of physical &­ mental fitness then?!

    You little fella's do talk­ some utter @#$% at times don't you!!

    From Mark P, on Fri 2 Jan 9:57PM

  18. Good job Andy. I hope and pray you win at least your­ first grand slam in 2009. To have such a good cord­ agains Roger is a testament to your skill and dexteruty­ in the game. Keep working on your fitness and the sky­ is the limit to your achievement. Good game of tennis­ though. ...Good luck Andy ... Olusina

    From Olusina, on Fri 2 Jan 9:55PM

  19. mauricechlela are you that f+cking stupid that you cant­ even spell. Scot is not spelt Scott you inbred f+ck!!!

    From dangordon2000, on Fri 2 Jan 9:49PM

  20. Well said mauricechela,mark p just shut up.Murray wasnt­ too good just that Federer gifted him the match with­ some stupid forehand errors.As for Aussie open,i give­ it to either Federer or Tsonga

    From vivacious4xt, on Fri 2 Jan 9:48PM
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