Murray sends Federer crashing in classic

Britain’s Andy Murray sent defending champion Roger Federer crashing out of the Masters Cup in a classic encounter on Friday.

Murray came from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 after Federer, hampered by a back injury, saved seven match points in a gripping final set.

The result boosts Murray’s chances of winning the eight-man season finale on his debut and means France’s Gilles Simon also reaches the last four.

“I would have liked to have won on the first match point but I played a couple of bad shots and he hit some aces and some big forehands,” Murray said.

“I just had to find a way to come back after that. He was a little bit tired at the end and physically struggling and I had that at the back of my mind.”

Federer had never failed to reach the Masters Cup semi-finals in seven straight appearances, winning four titles including the last two.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion, who was forced out of the Paris Masters with the back strain and then hit by a stomach bug, needed to beat Murray to stay in the tournament after losing to Simon.

“I don’t quit once I step on court. Guess you got to drill me one in the eye, then maybe. But otherwise I don’t quit,” he said.

Federer had started in imperious form, snapping up the first break point of the match. But Murray was not cowed and he immediately broke back after a searing low pass and when Federer mistimed a backhand.

The Briton saved more break points when Federer stop-volleyed and rescued a seemingly impossible drop-shot, but cracked on set point against his serve.

Murray immediately answered with two breaks in the second but wasted two set points as Federer broke twice to force a tense tie-break.

With the scores at 3-3, Murray charged ahead and set up three set points with a rare backhand volley before levelling the match.

Federer twice took treatment for his injured back and he noticeably slowed in the third set, using the drop shot whenever possible, and went behind before breaking back with a mighty forehand.

As tensions rose in a packed Qi Zhong Stadium, Federer broke again but flailed a smash yards out to bring Murray level 4-4. He saved seven match points in an enthralling 10th game before losing his next serve.

“The body was hurting, you know. Normally a best-of-three match is peanuts. So it was a pity I couldn’t handle it today,” Federer said.

The match was a re-run of this year’s US Open final, which Federer won in straight sets. Murray beat the ex-number one in Dubai this year and at last month’s Madrid Masters.

The 21-year-old Scot has been in the form of his life, winning back-to-back Masters series titles to reach a career-high fourth ranking.

Murray has only been beaten once since reaching the US Open final when David Nalbandian ended a run of 14 straight victories in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.

Federer, 27, was hoping to kick-start his campaign to win back the number one ranking here. He has endured a difficult year, losing the top spot after 237 weeks and also his five-year Wimbledon streak to Rafael Nadal.

Earlier Simon swept aside Czech alternate Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-4 but could only qualify when Federer lost.

Super 14 tipping now live for sign-ups. Join now and invite your mates.

Free Email updates:

• Get a daily Other Sports email

Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...

© 2008 AFP