Roger Federer and Andy Murray reached the semifinals of the season-ending Barclay’s ATP World Tour Final tournament on Thursday, each with straight-set victories.
Federer beat Sweden’s Robin Soderling 7–6, 6–3 to improve to 3–0 in the tournament, and Murray beat David Ferrer 6–2, 6–2 to finish with a record of 2–1.
“I just wanted to come out and try to play as good a match as I can,” Federer was quoted on the ATP website on Thursday.
“Losing is never a solution to trying to win a tournament. That’s why I’m happy that all three matches [were] straight sets, [and I did] not waste any energy. I’m playing real well [and] I’m through to the semis.”
Federer sealed the first set tiebreak with what looked like a high volley that was going to land out. Soderling didn’t chase it down and the ball ended up landing in, much to his frustration.
“I think against a player like Roger, you need to have a little bit of luck to win. And I definitely didn’t have the luck on my side today,” Soderling reflected afterwards.
The win gives Federer the top spot in Group B, and improves his career record against Soderling to 15–1.
Murray, who defeated Soderling in straight sets in his opening match and lost to Federer in the second match, played excellent against Ferrer after going down 2–0 to start the first set.
The British favorite battled back to win seven straight games and own the match. He eventually sealed the second set and the win with a forehand at the net on first match point.
“It was a good match tonight,” Murray said. “I played well. Returned well. To win against someone as tough as David with that score line, [I] must have played well.”
This is Murray’s first semifinal breakthrough since his first appearance in the tournament in 2008. Last year Murray didn’t make the semis because he had the same group record as Federer but had a lower percentage of games won.
This is Federer’s eighth ATP World Tour semifinals appearance in nine tournaments.
Federer and Murray’s opponents will be decided on Friday after the last Group A round-robin matches conclude.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal with face No. 6 Tomas Berdych, and No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic will play No. 8 seed Andy Roddick.
Federer beat Sweden’s Robin Soderling 7–6, 6–3 to improve to 3–0 in the tournament, and Murray beat David Ferrer 6–2, 6–2 to finish with a record of 2–1.
“I just wanted to come out and try to play as good a match as I can,” Federer was quoted on the ATP website on Thursday.
“Losing is never a solution to trying to win a tournament. That’s why I’m happy that all three matches [were] straight sets, [and I did] not waste any energy. I’m playing real well [and] I’m through to the semis.”
Federer sealed the first set tiebreak with what looked like a high volley that was going to land out. Soderling didn’t chase it down and the ball ended up landing in, much to his frustration.
“I think against a player like Roger, you need to have a little bit of luck to win. And I definitely didn’t have the luck on my side today,” Soderling reflected afterwards.
The win gives Federer the top spot in Group B, and improves his career record against Soderling to 15–1.
Murray, who defeated Soderling in straight sets in his opening match and lost to Federer in the second match, played excellent against Ferrer after going down 2–0 to start the first set.
The British favorite battled back to win seven straight games and own the match. He eventually sealed the second set and the win with a forehand at the net on first match point.
“It was a good match tonight,” Murray said. “I played well. Returned well. To win against someone as tough as David with that score line, [I] must have played well.”
This is Murray’s first semifinal breakthrough since his first appearance in the tournament in 2008. Last year Murray didn’t make the semis because he had the same group record as Federer but had a lower percentage of games won.
This is Federer’s eighth ATP World Tour semifinals appearance in nine tournaments.
Federer and Murray’s opponents will be decided on Friday after the last Group A round-robin matches conclude.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal with face No. 6 Tomas Berdych, and No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic will play No. 8 seed Andy Roddick.
