Thursday, January 8, 2009

Murray win sets up Federer clash

Murray win sets up Federer clash

Andy Murray
Murray beat Stanislas Wawrinka in last year's final

Britain's Andy Murray set up a semi-final clash with Roger Federer after a comfortable 6-4 6-2 win over Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky in the Qatar Open.

Stakhovsky posed the defending champion problems until fatigue seemed to set in towards the end of the first set.

After winning the opening set in 41 minutes, the world number four turned on the style with some beautiful lob and drop shots as his opponent wilted.

Earlier, Rafael Nadal suffered a straight sets defeat to Gael Monfils.

The fifth seed had never won a set in three previous meetings with Nadal, but dominated from the start to cruise home 6-4 6-4 and make the semi-finals.

Andy Roddick easily beat Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-2 and will next play the Frenchman.

Federer saw off Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2 7-6 (8-6), to set up a mouth-watering semi-final with Murray.

606: DEBATE
Mark A - BBC Sport

In Thursday's opening match, Roddick made light work of overcoming Romania's Hanescu.

After cruising to the first set, the American fourth seed broke immediately in the second and with Hanescu looking increasingly weary, Roddick soon wrapped up the win.

Monfils, meanwhile, did not allow Nadal to settle from the opening point and broke as early as the third game.

The Frenchman grabbed the opening set 6-4 after a titanic 10th game and his power game continued in the next and proved too much for the stunned Spaniard.

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