Murray eases into last four

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-13  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

ROGER Federer kept his hopes alive for a fifth Tennis Masters Cup title last night by beating Radek Stepanek 7-6 (4), 6-4.

The Swiss world No. 2, who pulled out of the Paris Masters less than two weeks ago with a sore back, still showed some of the rust that plagued his opening loss to Gilles Simon. His first-serve percentage was higher against the 26th-ranked Stepanek, but the shots still lacked some of their usual sting.

"It's been a tough week for me from the start," said Federer, adding his back felt fine but that he got sick on Tuesday and was still feeling the effects.

Czech Stepanek was playing in place of Andy Roddick, who withdrew from the tournament earlier yesterday with a sprained ankle after losing his opening match on Monday.

The American said his injury did not appear to be serious, but that it left him unable to be competitive in Shanghai. "Maybe I got lucky that Andy withdrew," Federer said.

Earlier, Andy Murray of Britain reached the semifinals of the season-ending tournament at the Qizhong Tennis Center in suburban Minhang District by beating Simon 6-4, 6-2 in the other Red Group match.

Murray was at his best on the key points, breaking Simon twice in each set and fending off seven of the Frenchman's eight break opportunities.

"It was one of my best matches in recent months," said Murray, who recently won 14 straight matches.

Murray said he was nervous before the match, knowing that if he lost, he would have to beat Federer in his last round-robin match to qualify for the semifinals.

Both Murray and Simon were making their debuts at the tournament for the world's top players, but Murray looked like a veteran, winning the first four games. Simon won only four points in his first two service games.

The Frenchman did get one break back to pull within 4-3, but Murray fended off another break chance in his next and easily held to finish off the set.