Murray topples Federer to set up Shanghai final against Djokovic
Source: Agencies |
October 14, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ANDY Murray and Novak Djokovic cruised through their semifinals at the Shanghai Rolex Masters yesterday to set up a repeat of their memorable US Open final last month.
Murray, bidding for a hat-trick of titles in Shanghai, overpowered world No. 1 Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 in a rain-affected match last night after Djokovic dispatched Tomas Berdych for the loss of one less game -- 6-3, 6-4 - at the Qizhong Tennis Center in suburban Minhang District.
Federer, who conceded a crucial break of serve in the first set after serving three double-faults, was given a reprieve by a 30-minute rain delay when Murray reached 5-4 in the second set but he could not fend off the inevitable on the resumption.
Murray will be looking for a third consecutive victory over Djokovic after beating the Serbian world No. 2 in the Olympic semifinal and then in their Flushing Meadows showdown in New York.
Djokovic was equally impressive against hard-hitting Czech Berdych. He roared into a 5-1 lead in the first set before Berdych made a match of it.
He was again dominant in the second set, capitalizing on an early break to lead 4-2 before eventually serving out to sail into his first Shanghai final.
It was Djokovic's tour-leading 69th victory of the year.
"Obviously it's a big challenge when you play a top 10 player," said Djokovic, who lost back-to-back Shanghai semifinals in 2009 and 2010.
"Tomas is in great form the past couple of months. He's always a difficult player to play against on any surface because he has a very powerful serve and great forehand.
"I played tactically right. I was putting a lot of returns into the court, putting a lot of pressure on his serve. On the other hand, I was serving well when I needed to."
Djokovic, who moved into his 10th final of the year, is looking for his fifth title of the year and second straight after winning in Beijing last week.
Murray, bidding for a hat-trick of titles in Shanghai, overpowered world No. 1 Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 in a rain-affected match last night after Djokovic dispatched Tomas Berdych for the loss of one less game -- 6-3, 6-4 - at the Qizhong Tennis Center in suburban Minhang District.
Federer, who conceded a crucial break of serve in the first set after serving three double-faults, was given a reprieve by a 30-minute rain delay when Murray reached 5-4 in the second set but he could not fend off the inevitable on the resumption.
Murray will be looking for a third consecutive victory over Djokovic after beating the Serbian world No. 2 in the Olympic semifinal and then in their Flushing Meadows showdown in New York.
Djokovic was equally impressive against hard-hitting Czech Berdych. He roared into a 5-1 lead in the first set before Berdych made a match of it.
He was again dominant in the second set, capitalizing on an early break to lead 4-2 before eventually serving out to sail into his first Shanghai final.
It was Djokovic's tour-leading 69th victory of the year.
"Obviously it's a big challenge when you play a top 10 player," said Djokovic, who lost back-to-back Shanghai semifinals in 2009 and 2010.
"Tomas is in great form the past couple of months. He's always a difficult player to play against on any surface because he has a very powerful serve and great forehand.
"I played tactically right. I was putting a lot of returns into the court, putting a lot of pressure on his serve. On the other hand, I was serving well when I needed to."
Djokovic, who moved into his 10th final of the year, is looking for his fifth title of the year and second straight after winning in Beijing last week.
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