Federer sets up Murray semifinal match at Shanghai Masters

For Full Match Report, Click Here: Federer vs Cilic Game by Game Report

Roger Federer defeated Marin Cilic to set up a Shanghai Masters 2012 semi-final encounter against the Brit Murray. The Swiss prevailed in straight sets 6-3 6-4 after a solid performance after 1 hour and 21 minutes of play.

The beginning of the match saw one break each, taking the score to 2-2. From that moment on, it was all about Federer, who literally outplayed the Croat to take a lead in the match. Cilic’s 41% of first serves in didn’t help the matter, but there is alway massive pressure on any of the players who have to face the Swiss maestro.

Cilic earned himself two break points in the opening game at 40-15 up, but his backhand lets him down on both occasions. After Federer saved the third BP with an ace, he got himself out of the woods and went on to hold. Some of the shot making from the 17 time Grand Slam champion was simply mesmerizing, although Cilic didn’t quite push him to the limit, making too many unforced errors. With another break of serve for Fed, he was serving at 5-3 to wrap up the match. However, Cilic managed to save the first match point with a return winner, eventually clawing back the break. But one has to remember the good old words: ‘the break is not a break until it has been consolidated’. And after the Croat failed to hold onto his serve in the very next game, Federer set up a dream SF clash against Andy Murray.

Defending champion Andy Murray came back from a set down in an earlier match against Radek Stepanek, prevailing 4-6 6-2 6-3.

Tags Andy Murray Federer beats Cilic Federer vs Murray Shangha Marin Cilic Roger Federer Shanghai Masters 2012