[穆瑞] Murray knocks out ailing Federer
Page last updated at 15:15 GMT, Friday, 14 November 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7729083.stm
Murray knocks out ailing Federer
MASTERS CUP, Shanghai:
Andy Murray knocked Roger Federer out of the Masters Cup in Shanghai as
the defending champion struggled with a lower back injury in a dramatic match.
World number two Federer had to win the final round-robin match in the
Red Group to stay in the tournament, but he went down 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 to
Murray.
That ensured Gilles Simon, who earlier beat Radek Stepanek, made the semis.
Murray will now face Nikolay Davydenko in the last four on Saturday, after
Simon plays Novak Djokovic at 0900 GMT.
"When you play against Roger you've got to expect him to play great stuff,
especially when he's behind," said Murray. "I dealt with it pretty well
though and came back.
"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 - to win against him and have
a record like I do is awesome. I know I'm going to be tired but this means a
lot to me."
Friday's final group match was a unique experience for Murray, who went
into the match with a 3-2 record against Federer but knowing he did not need
to win, having already qualified.
It made little difference to the quality of play as both men came out
firing in front of a packed crowd at the Qi Jhong Stadium.
With everything to play for, Federer took the initiative and got the first
break in game four when Murray went long with a forehand.
I don't quit once I step on court
Roger Federer
The Scot responded immediately when an edgy Federer netted a backhand in
the following game, but he had to save three more break points in his next
couple of service games as the champion kept up the pressure.
Finally, Federer made the decisive breakthrough in a superb 10th game,
firing a beautiful backhand winner and a crunching cross-court forehand
before Murray dumped a drop shot in the net at set point.
It did not appear to boost the champion's confidence though and he played
a poor game to drop serve at the start of the second.
He handed Murray the break with two wayward forehands and soon slipped
5-2 down after a disastrous seventh game, with two double-faults and two
dreadful volleys giving Murray the double-break.
Remarkably, it was the Briton who then suffered a shocking slump in form
and he became increasingly angry as Federer wiped out the advantage, Murray
double-faulting to bring the score level at 5-5.
Federer appeared in trouble when he slipped a mini-break down early in
the tie-break and, despite winning the point of the match with a backhand
smash, it was Murray who was in control throughout.
As the final set got under way, Federer twice had lengthy treatment from
the trainer on his lower back - an area he had suffered problems with in the
build-up to the tournament.
606: DEBATE
This game had it all; lobs, drop shots, base line blasters and some great
volleying.
BuffonIdol
Murray duly broke serve early in the decider and Federer, moving gingerly
between points, looked on the verge of spoiling his record of never having
quit during a match.
But the Swiss was still able to play some magnificent strokes, in
particular a killer drop shot and a sweeping backhand down the line in game
five as he recovered from 3-0 down to move ahead with a break at 4-3.
The drama was not over, however, as a pumped-up Murray got back on level
terms yet again when Federer missed a regulation smash, to the astonishment
of the 15,000 spectators.
Murray failed to convert any of seven match points in a fabulous 10th
game but made no mistake two games later, sealing victory at the eighth
opportunity after three hours and one minute when Federer made an error.
Afterwards, Federer - who had been chasing a fifth victory at the
end-of-season event - admitted he had struggled physically,
"I don't quit once I step on court," said Federer. "My body was hurting.
Normally the best of three sets is peanuts and it's a shame I couldn't handle
it today."
Simon earlier completed his group matches with a 6-1 6-4 victory over
Radek Stepanek to finish with a record of two wins and one defeat in the Gold
Group.
The Frenchman, ranked ninth in the world, only made it into the eight-man
field when Rafael Nadal pulled out with an injury on the eve of the
tournament.
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