• ATP Tour

Federer rubber-stamps Murray showdown

ESPN staff
October 12, 2012
Roger Federer is about to begin his 300th week as world No. 1 © PA Photos
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Roger Federer set up a Shanghai Masters semi-final with Andy Murray on Friday, comfortably beating Marin Cilic in the day's last match.

Murray had already booked his spot in the last four with victory over Radek Stepanek, so it was up to Federer to ensure a showdown between two of the world's top three players. The Swiss held his side of the bargain with a 6-3 6-4 victory that arrived in an hour and 22 minutes.

Federer is attempting to win his maiden Shanghai Masters crown, having lost the 2010 final to Murray. He can now exact some revenge in Saturday's meeting.

Cilic has never beaten Federer, and the Croat has also never won a match against a reigning world No. 1. That rarely looked like changing as he lost his opening service game on Friday following a wayward forehand.

To the credit of the No. 10 seed, he did momentarily level at 2-2, but was instantly broken again as Federer quickly asserted his authority. By Federer's standards he was producing nothing special, but his ability to change the pace of the ball off either wing was clearly troubling Cilic.

Federer has already guaranteed himself the world No. 1 ranking next week, meaning he will take his career total of weeks at the top of the ATP Tour to 300. However, he would love to usher in that landmark with a 77th ATP Tour title, and victory over Cilic books his fifth semi-final in his last six Masters 1000 appearances.

The result looked assured after the fourth game of the second set as the Swiss whipped a forehand winner down the line for 3-1. However, Federer lost his cool when serving for the match and needed a further break to get the job done.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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