Murray gunning for Fed scalp

 

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

After losing to Federer in the US Open final, Murray avenged the defeat on his way to October’s Madrid Masters title and will look to take his career record to 4-2.

“You try and win. I’m not going to try and lose to Federer. I’ve beaten him three times; I’d like to make it four,” said Murray. “I don’t need to try and find a balance, I just need to try and beat Federer. Ideally I’d like to knock him out of the competition if I can.”

The world number four has already secured a place in the last four after easing to a 6-4 6-2 win over Gilles Simon on Wednesday to maintain his 100% start to his maiden Masters Cup appearance.

Murray is certain to play a semi-final on Saturday with a potential final coming only a day later, but despite nearing the end of a long and successful season for the 21-year-old, he is ready to take his chance to send the world number two home.

He added: “I’d rather not have to play him twice in one week; he’s the best player ever.

“Obviously, there’s a lot more pressure on him to win more than me. It will be the first time I’ve played him when I’ve not been under pressure.”

Federer surprisingly lost his opening red group round-robin outing to Simon in three sets, but kept his tournament alive on Wednesday with a 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 win over Radek Stepanek, who replaced the injured Andy Roddick, despite missing practice on Tuesday with a stomach upset.

The Swiss, who also lost to Murray in Dubai this year, knows he has his fate in his hands with Simon only able to advance if Murray wins regardless of the Frenchman’s result against Stepanek. But he also knows he is up against it as Murray has only lost once since the defeat by Federer at Flushing Meadows in September.

Federer said: “I’m looking forward to the match, it should be interesting. He’s a wonderful player. He’s had a great end to the season.”

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