By Erik Gudris | Saturday, August 22, 2015
Roger Federer held off Andy Murray in a close second set tiebreak to reach the Cincinnati final.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Roger Federer once again finds himself in the Western and Southern Open final in Cincinnati after yet another near perfect performance against Andy Murray.
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Saturday's semifinal not only had a spot in the final on the line, but a possible No. 2 seed for the winner at the upcoming US Open.
Federer entered the match having not drop serve all week. He also entered with the impressive stat of not having been broken by Murray since they played in last year's Cincinnati quarterfinals. That includes their recent meeting in the Wimbledon semifinals.
With aggressive returning, Federer enjoyed an early break in the opening set for a 2-1 lead after Murray dumped a forehand into the net. After that, Murray played catch-up as he tried to manufacture a break point chance against Federer's serve.
That wouldn't happen as Federer soon got to 5-4 and held several set points on his serve. With a perfect down the line forehand winner, Federer sealed the set 6-4.
Murray improved his play with better serving that included a hold at love to start the second set. Federer kept his aggressive returning and midway through the set held a break point on Murray. The No. 3 seed fought that off and then later hit an ace to keep his nose in front 4-3.
Still, Murray could not figure out a way to create a break point on Federer's serve. That was especially true given Federer was not only winning over 77% percent of his first serve points, but also was winning 79% percent of his second serve points.
The second set entered a tiebreak that proved too close to call until the very end. Federer got an early mini-break when Murray sent a backhand well wide. Yet, Murray got the break back with a potent forehand return and soon leveled things at 4-all.
Federer continued using his forehand to great effect, including ripping another perfect winner from that wing to create his first match point. Murray saved it with a good serve in the ad court for 6-all. But, Federer came up with some unexpected, yet crowd pleasing magic on the next point. On Murray's serve, Federer mishit his return that became a near perfect drop shot.
That drew Murray into the net with Federer then hitting a deep lob over Murrays' head. Federer then moved in and knocked off another drop volley to set up his second match point.
Federer wasted no time finishing things off as he struck a forehand volley put away winner to close out the 6-4, 7-6(6) win.
"I had to get used to playing in the day and also see how Andy was also playing," Federer told ESPN's Brad Gilbert. "I thought the second set was obviously much more even and not that many chances on either side."
When asked about aggressive returns on Murray's second serve, Federer added, "I tried to mix it up on the second serve, chip some and come in on some, see what he could do. Maybe I could have done a bit more with it, but at the end of the second he started to serve much better so I couldn't get that many looks, but then I got lucky at the end with the shanked return so maybe that was the difference."
Federer now goes in search of his seventh career Cincinnati title against Novak Djokovic who is trying for his first ever at the ATP Masters event. Federer described playing Djokovic as "the ultimate test" with their head-to-head tied at 20-all. This will be their fifth meeting this year. Federer won in Dubai, while Djokovic won in Indian Wells, Rome, and Wimbledon.
If Federer does win the title tomorrow, he will move back up to No. 2 in the world and will assure himself of a No. 2 seed at the US Open.