Murray: Federer win a prize in itself

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:09

The British number one already had his place in the Shanghai semi-finals assured after wins over Andy Roddick and Gilles Simon, but took his chance to deliver his promise and eliminate the two-time defending champion with a 4-6 7-6 (7/3) 7-5 win in just over three enthralling hours.

“I was playing against Federer, I wanted to win. I had said I’m not going to go over against him and let him beat me easily,” Murray said.

“Psychologically a win like that is going to be huge for me next time I play him, especially in big matches.

“Although I’m going to probably be a bit tired, a win against him in a match like that is worth as much – maybe not as much – but similar to winning the Masters Cup.”

The win sets up a semi-final meeting with Russian world number five Nikolay Davydenko on Saturday after topping the red group, while it also handed Frenchman Simon a last-four showdown with Serbian world number three Novak Djokovic.

After denying Federer a place in the Masters Cup semi-finals for the first time, Murray has now beaten the 13-time grand slam champion three times this year and joins Nadal and David Nalbandian as the only players to achieve that feat in 12 months.

“It was a great match, so many twists and turns,” said Murray. “The first set was relatively straightforward for him. But in the second and third, I never knew what was going to happen,” added Murray.

“In the tie-break in the second set there were some amazing points. It had that feeling that it was going to be one of those matches where it’s going to go right to the wire. I was glad I pulled it out.”

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here