Murray Strengthens Hold on Federer

If Roger Federer has a problem with Rafael Nadal, what about Andy Murray? The British No1, having risen from his sickbed in London only two weeks ago, outplayed the former Wimbledon champion 6-3 4-6 6-1 to score his sixth win in eight meetings with a player considered to be one of the best of all time. The victory took Murray into his third ATP Masters final here at the BNP Paribas Open, having won Cincinnati and Madrid last year. He will play Rafael Nadal or Andy Roddick.

For a split second in the fourth game of the third set, it seemed that Murray had hurt himself. Falling as he turned in pursuit of a Federer forehand, he slipped and cried out in pain. But what looked like a pulled groin muscle was quickly shaken off and, in fact, it was the Swiss who seemed incapacitated, at least mentally, as a series errors flew off his racket to hand Murray the break in the game.

From then on the world No2 resorted to the uncertainties of the first set and, despite saving three match points, looked a well-beaten player by the end.

Neither player got off to a fast start on another day of burning sunshine and wispy clouds. There are no secrets between these two now and it has come down to a question of probing for answers at the beginning of their matches to see whose backhand is working better or who is getting more kick on their second serve. Even with balls moving through the air quickly because of the slight altitude here, these hard courts play slow and a player needs to manoeuvre into position before ­hitting a winner.

Just such a winner came with an off forehand from Federer that put him 0-40 up against the Murray serve in the fourth game. But two errors took it to 30-40 and then a 25-stroke rally ended with Federer netting a backhand.

When Murray held, he had claimed the psychological high ground and it showed in the next game when he returned the first Federer smash at 15-30 and then watched the Swiss hit the second wide. The pressure was building and a point later Murray had the break when Federer erred on the backhand.

It was all Murray for the rest of the set as the Swiss seemed bereft of ideas. It was obvious he needed to attack but after scoring with one good volley, he found himself passed on the next point and Murray soon stamped his mark on the set with another break.

A double fault got Murray off on the wrong foot in the second set and he quickly found himself 2-0 down. Federer was starting to work himself into a more aggressive mood but he could not stop the Scot breaking back with some cool backhand passes in the fourth game.

Federer reacted to that indignity with all the controlled fury of his Wimbledon winning years, stepping forward to generate enormous power with seemingly little effort – the Fed in full flow. Murray was suddenly scrambling to keep up and a terrific forehand winner gave Federer a second break. Three games later it was a set all.

The way Federer capitulated at the end of the third set must be a real worry for this proud champion but for Murray, the top of the mountain heaves into view in ever sharper focus.