The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Murray downs Federer

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Murray downs Federer

DOHA: Defending champion Andy Murray beat Roger Federer 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday to reach the final of the Qatar Open — his fourth straight win over the former top-ranked player.

Murray, who improved his career record against Federer to 5-2 in tour matches, will face Andy Roddick in Saturday’s final.

Since losing to Federer in the U.S. Open final, the fourth-ranked Murray beat the Swiss star at the Madrid Masters in October, the Masters Cup in Shanghai in November and an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi last week.

On Friday, Federer committed four doublefaults and had 37 unforced errors, the same number as winners. On match point, Federer slammed an easy smash into the net.

While Federer failed to break serve, Murray converted four of six break points.

Murray took an injury time-out in the third set for treatment on his lower back, but showed no signs of trouble as he closed out the match.

Earlier on Friday, Roddick reached the final by defeating Gael Monfils 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3.

After slumping in the second set, Roddick broke his French opponent twice in the third to secure the win in 2 hours, 22 minutes.

The results: At Doha: Qatar Open: Semifinals: Andy Roddick bt Gael Monfils 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3; Andy Murray bt Roger Federer 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-2. Quarterfinals: Andy Murray bt Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-2.

At Brisbane (Brisbane International): Quarterfinals: Men: Radek Stepanek bt Robin Soderling 2-6, 6-4, 6-3; Richard Gasquet bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Women: Semifinals: Marion Bartoli bt Amelie Mauresmo 4-0, retd.; Victoria Azarenka bt Sara Errani 6-3, 6-1.

At Auckland: WTA Auckland Classic: Semifinals: Elena Dementieva bt Aravane Rezai 6-2, 6-2; Elena Vesnina bt Anne Keothavong 6-7(3), 6-1, 7-5. — Agencies

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