Roger Federer beat Andy Muray 6-3, 7-5 to make the semi-finals of the Cincinnati ATP 1000 event. The meeting was the rival’s 22nd, and Federer’s win evens their head to head to 11-11.
Federer won a straightforward first set against the Scot who was struggling with his serve, only getting 47 percent of his first serves in. To make matters worse, Murray was winning just 50 percent of points behind his second serve. That enabled Federer, who was serving at 68 percent on his first serves, to get nine break points, and he converted two of them to grab the first set 6-3.
Murray came back strong in the second set and led 4-1. But the lead was short-lived. Federer leveled the match at 4-4 as his own game stayed solid and Murray’s fell apart.
Murray managed to stay in the match a little while longer, but Federer broke with Murray serving at 5-6 to book his place in the semi-finals. It will be Federer’s sixth appearance in the semi-finals of the event. Of the previous five times he has reached the semi-finals, the Swiss has gone on to win the title.
Federer will face sixth seed Milos Raonic who thrashed Fabio Fognini 6-0, 6-1.
The other semi-final will see Julien Benneateau, a three set winner over Stan Wawrinka. The Frenchman battled back from a set down to win 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 and upset the third seed. Benneteau will now clash with David Ferrer who beat Tommy Robredo 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Commentary by Christian Deverille
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