Masters Cup - Murray sends Federer crashing out

Eurosport - Sat, 15 Nov 08:13:00 2008

Andy Murray sent Roger Federer crashing out of the Masters Cup in Shanghai when he fought back from a set down to beat the world number two 4-6 7-6 7-5.

Andy Murray, Masters Cup in Shanghai - 0

Federer's loss means Frenchman Gilles Simon joins Murray in qualifying from the Red Group for the semi-finals.

World number three Novak Djokovic and Russian Nikolay Davydenko complete the last four line-up having qualified from the Gold Group.

Having topped the Red Group, Murray will face Davydenko in the semi-finals on Saturday, while Djokovic will face Simon.

"I'm going to be a bit tired tomorrow but a win over Roger Federer means almost as much as winning the Masters Cup to me," said Murray, who improved to a 4-2 career record against Federer.

Four-times defending champion Federer and Murray both made bright starts, opening with a comfortable service hold each before Murray threw in an error-riddled game to hand Federer the first chance to draw blood.

A backhand long, followed by a forehand passing shot into the net and a cross court lob that fell well wide saw Federer holding three break points. Another error from the Scot, a forehand long, and the world number two had the break.

Murray broke back immediately though, whipping a backhand across court after displaying impressive defense at the baseline.

The 21-year-old Scot was forced to save break points again in the fifth game, and did so with an ace before wrapping up the game with a service winner to get things back on serve.

Another lapse in concentration from the Scot in the 10th game gifted Federer three set points and the Swiss took the first set when Murray dumped an ill-advised backhand drop shot into the net.

Murray immediately set about his comeback, and forced a break in the opening game of the second set when Federer slapped a forehand wide.

Murray held break points again in the fifth game, which Federer saved with an ace before grabbing a second break in the seventh game with a dipping forehand return, which set up the chance to serve for the set.

A double fault was not a great way for Murray to start the game and from there he capitulated, being broken twice in his next two service games despite holding two set points.

Murray managed to stop Federer's run of games by holding in the 12th game to force the tiebreak.

Murray ran away with the early stages of the breaker but Federer got things back on level terms just before the change of ends with a backhand smash after a long cross court backhand exchange between the players.

Federer could not maintain the run though in the face of Murray's baseline defence baseline and the world number two was left staring at the prospect of a third set when he produced his second double fault of the match.

Federer needed treatment for a back injury which caused him to withdraw from the Paris Masters two weeks before, and seemed to be struggling as he hit a forehand into the net to concede his serve in the second game.

Murray held to cement the break and lead 3-0, but once again Federer found a way to come back and earned himself a break in the fifth game when he whipped a backhand across court for a winner.

Federer broke again in the seventh game to get himself in front but Murray broke back immediately when the world number two hit a straightforward smash so far beyond the baseline that it almost hit the first row of the crowd.

Federer served to stay in the match, and the tournament, in an epic 10th game that lasted 15 minutes and saw Murray hold seven match points.

However, he managed to save them all with some impressive serving, including three aces, and eventually held to level up at 5-5.

Murray quickly held to 15 to get in front again before finally managing to wrap up the win after three hours and one minute when Federer hit a forehand long.

Follow LIVE text commentary and scoring of both semi-finals of the Masters Cup in Shanghai from 9am UK time on Saturday!!

Pippa Davis / Eurosport

Comment 231 - 250 of 250

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  1. to dogbiscuit:

    Grand Slams
    Murray - 0 Federer - 13
    TMC
    Murray - 0 Federer - 4
    Carier Titles
    Murray - 8 Federer - 57

    there you go....
    pure statistics!

    From tajfoon, on Sat 15 Nov 10:13PM

  2. Well done Andy for giving Davydenko the credit he deserves by saying that he was the better player.

    The victory over Federer was more important than winning the 'last-man-standing event'. Of course, Roger has said he and Rafa are still on a different level to everyone else, but we'll see what happens in 2009.

    Oh, and I believe Murray's match ecord against Federer is now 4-2. Need we say more?

    From Pete, on Sat 15 Nov 7:05PM

  3. I am a fan of Federer but I don't think that he will ever recapture his old form.If he manages to win two more Grand Slams and beats Sampras'record, he should definitely retire before his form deteriorates even further !!

    From Tim, on Sat 15 Nov 2:10PM

  4. there is no excuse for tiredness as reported in the comments during andy murray's match against davedenko. When he is winning all is well. It is a british failing to make excuses if any of our players are struggling. Well done his opponent I say. Jean Brooks

    From thestables, on Sat 15 Nov 2:02PM

  5. Umpire was on Murray's side in 3 set ,yesterday.
    When Federer hit service ace ,Umpire called service fault in 3 set (4-3)
    I watched again the replay in slow motion of video recorder but Umpire was wrong.
    It made Roger lose game.
    When ball fall down near the line,
    broadcast of tennis match must show slow replay video in close up ball near the line

    From jc3312, on Sat 15 Nov 1:58PM

  6. who is Murrey? I don't know! as for me, Federer is the best tennis player in the world and allways will be!

    From iakvachakidze, on Sat 15 Nov 12:15PM

  7. what do you mean ???? ANT SOPRT or any sport

    From johne, on Sat 15 Nov 9:31AM

  8. no question murray's a great player and undoubtably heading for greatness but what a pity he's got the personality of a turd and should realise that he'd go a lot further with the public behind him. just goes to show that being a great sportsman does'nt make you a great person, also he should tidy himself up a bit , looks like he needs a good wash to me and perhaps a stylist could do something with that lovely head of hair . sorry but l cant stand the ignorace and arrogance of this jumped up chap.
    you watch this space though cos' when he does get his arse kicked he'll make an excuse about his knee or ankle like before, just to end , l hope he gets spanked..

    From charlie.smith105@..., on Sat 15 Nov 9:22AM

  9. no question murray's a great player and undoubtably heading for greatness but what a pity he's got the personality of a turd and should realise that he'd go a lot further with the public behind him. just goes to show that being a great sportsman does'nt make you a great person, also he should tidy himself up a bit , looks like he needs a good wash to me and perhaps a stylist could do something with that lovely head of hair . sorry but l cant stand the ignorace and arrogance of this jumped up chap.
    you watch this space though cos' when he does get his arse kicked he'll make an excuse about his knee or ankle like before, just to end , l hope he gets spanked..

    From charlie.smith105@..., on Sat 15 Nov 9:21AM

  10. Well done Murray
    Im so glad that other nations within G.Britain are doing so well recently
    With the whole Chris Hoy story, and now Murray looks like he will one day become no.2 if not no.1 in tennis.

    Im English but i rather call myself British!

    So go on Murray!!!!!

    From NathanS, on Sat 15 Nov 9:19AM

  11. Just in case there are any wise guys here I meant ANY soprt and NOT ant sport.

    Vivienne Sadler

    From viviennesadler@..., on Sat 15 Nov 8:59AM

  12. A few points to make re some of the comments made here:

    I am Scottish and support England in ant sport, with one exception when they play Scotland (not so surprising).

    The comment 'just another sweaty with a chip on their shoulder' just shows how ignorant some people can be - I object strongly being called a 'sweaty'!! These cheap shots that are made are what is wrong with sport - enjoy quality sport for what it is and Murray, whether you like it or not, is an excellent player and one who is improving all the time.

    I have lived in England for over 20 years and am married to an English man and I have no problems with the people I come across regarding this north/side divide. The only problem we have with that and other forms of racism in this country is people like some of these idiots above.

    I call for good sportsmanship both in terms of the players and the supporters. Get rid if this bad feeling before it destroys sport altogether.

    Vivienne Sadler

    From viviennesadler@..., on Sat 15 Nov 8:53AM

  13. Respect Federer because he is the greatest player and sportsman in the game. Murray is very good but he still have to proove himself he still have only 2 masters. Think about what has FEDERER win by now. My opinion is he is not going to stop wright now.

    Sorry for the bad English

    From simeonovjordan, on Sat 15 Nov 8:12AM

  14. Did anyone notice that Federer didn't even look at Murray when they shook hands. I have never seen that before. So much for Federer being the gentleman of the game

    From frankcwood@..., on Sat 15 Nov 8:01AM

  15. Great tennis,, Nice line work , I was thinking Murray was a bit boaring , But no!!!! , His first spin serve that he is perfecting , is working ,, WELL DONE MURRAY ,,,,,,,

    From mark, on Sat 15 Nov 6:43AM

  16. Umpire was on Murray's side in 3 set yesterday.
    When Federer hit service ace ,Umpire called service fault in 3 set (4-3)
    It made Roger lose game.
    Everybody have absolute trust about hawk eye.
    But I doubt trick of hawk eye.
    Have you looked into the possibility of faking hawk eye?
    When ball fall down near the line,
    broadcast of tennis match must show replay video in close up near the line

    From jc3312, on Sat 15 Nov 6:08AM

  17. Umpire was on Murray's side in 3 set yestrrday.
    When Federer hit service ace ,Umpire called service fault in 3 set (4-3)
    It made Roger lose game.
    Everybody have absolute trust about hawk eye.
    But I doubt trick of hawk eye.
    Have you looked into the possibility of faking hawk eye?
    When ball fall down near the line,
    broadcast of tennis match must show replay video in close up near the line

    From jc3312, on Sat 15 Nov 6:06AM

  18. nilovsasha it's funny the more Murrey plays Federra and the other top players the better he gets. The better he plays the luckier he gets. He's beaten all the top three this year Federra three times he gets luckier and luckier? nilovsasha open your eyes come into the real world and admit what Federra knows but won't admit Murrey's getting the better of him because he's better than him "at this time".

    From Ronsenglish, on Sat 15 Nov 5:00AM

  19. This is the guy who said he loves to see England get beat at any sport. He is just another sweaty with a chip on both shoulders.

    From paulo179, on Sat 15 Nov 4:12AM

  20. I don't follow tennis very much. I'm English and we haven't exactly produced the cream of the crop recently. However, I've recently seen headlines about Murray destroying the world of tennis and I'm blown away. I watched him obsessively at Wimbledon, particularly against the French guy (embarassingly, I can't remember his name). This guy is unstoppable at the moment. The Scottish would never chear on an Englishman, but hell - this kid is pure class. I hope Scotland are enjoying this because he could really be something big. I'm not going to say he's a British legend, because that steals the glory from Scotland. He's a SCOTTISH legend, and long may it continue. COME ON ANDY!

    From Goldie Looking Berg, on Sat 15 Nov 2:39AM
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