Friday, 2 January 2009 12:31 PM ET
Andy Murray will face Rafael Nadal in the final of the inaugural Capitala World Tennis Championship in the United Arab Emirates.
Murray edged Roger Federer in the semifinals 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6), continuing his stellar play against the former no. 1-ranked superstar. Since losing to Switzerland's Federer in the 2008 U.S. Open final, Murray, of Britain, has won five of their last seven head-to-head matches.
"We had some close matches in the past. He beat me in the U.S. Open last year, but hopefully I will beat him at a Grand Slam," Murray said.
The two exchanged breaks in the first set, but Murray's late double fault gave the first set to Federer. Murray turned it around in the second set, breaking Federer early and jumping out to a 3-0 lead. He took the set 6-2. The final set needed a tiebreaker. Federer saved three match points and rallied to even it at 6-6, but Murray took the next two and closed out the match 8-6.
Federer tried to experiment by serving and volleying, but he was often beaten as he approached the net.
"I have realized that I will win some and lose some," Federer said. "As long as I enjoy the game, I don't mind the losses. But I surely want to win the big games."
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal defeated Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 6-3 in the other semifinal.
Nadal and Federer received first-round byes in the exhibition event, which is not part of the ATP Tour but features six of the world's top 10 players and offers a winner-take-all prize of $250,000 US.
The final takes place on Saturday.
Murray edged Roger Federer in the semifinals 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6), continuing his stellar play against the former no. 1-ranked superstar. Since losing to Switzerland's Federer in the 2008 U.S. Open final, Murray, of Britain, has won five of their last seven head-to-head matches.
"We had some close matches in the past. He beat me in the U.S. Open last year, but hopefully I will beat him at a Grand Slam," Murray said.
The two exchanged breaks in the first set, but Murray's late double fault gave the first set to Federer. Murray turned it around in the second set, breaking Federer early and jumping out to a 3-0 lead. He took the set 6-2. The final set needed a tiebreaker. Federer saved three match points and rallied to even it at 6-6, but Murray took the next two and closed out the match 8-6.
Federer tried to experiment by serving and volleying, but he was often beaten as he approached the net.
"I have realized that I will win some and lose some," Federer said. "As long as I enjoy the game, I don't mind the losses. But I surely want to win the big games."
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal defeated Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 6-3 in the other semifinal.
Nadal and Federer received first-round byes in the exhibition event, which is not part of the ATP Tour but features six of the world's top 10 players and offers a winner-take-all prize of $250,000 US.
The final takes place on Saturday.
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