Federer stays in the hunt

Two-time defending champion Roger Federer kept his Masters Cup bid alive by beating Radek Stepanek 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in Shanghai today.

Federer was shocked by French world number nine Gilles Simon in Monday’s red group opener, but remained in the hunt for a fifth Masters Cup triumph after downing late replacement Stepanek in one hour and 41 minutes.