• ATP Tour

Federer avoids Shanghai surprise

ESPN staff
October 11, 2012
Roger Federer breathed a sigh of relief after beating Stanislas Wawrinka © PA Photos
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Roger Federer survived a real scare as he booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters with victory over Stanislas Wawrinka.

The top seed recovered from losing the first set to level proceedings via a tiebreak before streaking away to a 4-6 7-6(4) 6-0 victory.

Despite only having beaten Federer once in 12 previous meetings, it was Wawrinka who started the more confidently, and the Swiss No. 2 edged the opener after converting his only break point.

Federer looked to be back on track when he broke for a 3-1 lead in the second set, but he was pegged back by an inspired Wawrinka, who threatened to land a major upset when he forced a tiebreak.

However, Federer had never lost a tiebreaker to his friend and he was in no mood to let that record slip as he pulled level.

With Wawrinka's resistance dented, Federer pounced, beating his compatriot with a superb forehand pass to break in the opening game, and he never looked back as he romped to victory in an hour and 56 minutes.

Next up for the world No. 1 is Marin Cilic after the big-serving Croatian hit back to secure a 4-6 6-1 6-4 victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco.

Earlier in the day, Novak Djokovic outgunned Feliciano Lopez to move into the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-3 victory, while Andy Murray cruised past Alexandr Dolgopolov.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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