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Faulty Federer beaten by masterful Murray

Andy Murray displayed his full catalogue of shots against Roger Federer in Shanghai © PA Photos

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Roger Federer served three consecutive double-faults in the same game en route to a comprehensive Shanghai Masters semi-final defeat to Andy Murray on Saturday.

Federer will begin his 300th week as world No. 1 on Monday, and in all that time it is inconceivable to think that he ever served three straight doubles. However, he did exactly that to give Murray the decisive break of the first set, a gift the Brit barely needed as he marched impressively to a 6-4 6-4 victory.

The pair have met in several high profile matches this year, with Federer winning the Wimbledon final before Murray gained revenge for Olympic gold. The prize on Saturday was a final showdown with Novak Djokovic - who beat Tomas Berdych - and both players brought their full arsenals into a match of extremely high quality.

Murray, the defending champion in Shanghai, was first to strike when a vicious backhand to the baseline set up two break points in the opening game. He converted with an equally impressive crosscourt forehand winner that beat Federer even though he was stationed behind the baseline.

Federer is yet to win the Shanghai title - having lost in the final to Murray two years ago - but he responded immediately on Murray's first service game, courtesy of two lazy shots by the British No. 1.

Murray led the head-to-head statistics 9-8 going into the match, and he forced the pace again in game three, creating another break chance that Federer this time fended off with a topspin forehand winner. It was a shot typical of the match with both men taking turns to trade blows; Federer clipping a stunning backhand down the line only to be answered by a thumping forehand winner from Murray.

Then came Federer's collapse on serve, which was totally out of keeping with what had gone before. Three straight double-faults saw Murray lead 3-2, and he used that advantage to close out the first set.

Murray played with noticeable aggression and his attitude led to six more break points in the opening game of the second set - all saved by Federer. Such was the relentless nature of Murray's assault that the world No. 1 turned to the heavens for help, pointing out a few spots of rain on court to prompt a six-minute delay.

Upon return Murray instantly created break chance No. 7 in the marathon game, only to be repelled by one of the points of the year as Federer scrambled with a desperate lob followed by a slice backhand drop - eventually going on to hold serve.

The Swiss only delayed the inevitable, though, as Murray continued to ping balls to all corners of the court - smashing a backhand return to the baseline for another break chance. This time he did convert as Federer expressed his frustration, dropping a set and break down at 3-2 in the second.

All Murray had to do was serve out the remainder of the match, which he did with some ease - despite a further rain delay that took the players off court. He closed out the contest having created 11 break points to Federer's one, and will head into Sunday's final with Djokovic in hot form.

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