Federer sets up clash with Murray

Andy Murray got his wish for a Shanghai Masters showdown with Roger Federer tomorrow after both men won their semi-finals in straight sets.

Number four seed Murray had a slightly simpler time, dispatching Juan Monaco 6-4 6-1, while third-seed Federer was worked hard for a 7-5 6-4 victory over second seed Novak Djokovic.

After the completion of the first semi-final, Murray told Sky Sports 1: “Novak has been playing great and that (semi-final) is going to be a really tough match.

“But I enjoy playing Roger, it’s a great experience every time against him. It’s always great fun, so I wouldn’t mind playing Roger.”

Murray looked in control of the opening stages of his match against Argentina’s Monaco but after making a break he quickly conceded one of his own service games with a timid double fault.

Monaco failed to take advantage and even failed to punish Murray when he was reduced to a series of defensive lobs after breaking a string.

That point reinvigorated Murray who soon wrapped up a second break and took the set.

The following set was a one-sided affair, Murray twice winning up three games in a row either side of a solitary Monaco success.

Federer edged Djokovic by virtue of finishing key points more clinically. The Serbian created five break points, converting just one, while his Swiss opponent turned three of his four chances into breaks.