World No 4 Andy Murray secured the second semifinal berth of the Masters Cup yesterday by defeating France's Gilles Simon in quick fashion while Roger Federer reignited his title defense by dispatching Czech Radek Stepanek in straight sets.

Andy Murray of Great Britain jubilates after beating Gilles Simon of France during men's singles competition at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai, 2008, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 12, 2008. Andy Murray won the match 6-4, 6-2. [Xinhua]

Yesterday's competition was rocked by the sudden withdrawal of world No 6 Andy Roddick after the American injured his right ankle during a practice session on Tuesday and now expects to be out of sorts for a week.

Ranked 21 places lower than Roddick, Stepanek's arrival no doubt buoyed Federer's spirits after the four-time tournament winner lost his opening match to Simon and badly needed a win yesterday for any hope of defending his title at the $4.45 million season finale.

But the Swiss world No 2 ?was in for a bumpy ride yesterday before closing the game out 7-6 (4), 6-4.

In the first match of the day, Murray took just over 90 minutes to beat Simon 6-4, 6-2 and join Serb Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. The Scot also defeated Roddick in three sets on Monday and was proud of the scalps he has claimed this year in Shanghai.

"It's great (to make the semis) from a tough group," he said. "Roddick is very, very experienced in these competitions and to beat him is never to be underestimated. It's a big win.

"Simon obviously is playing the best tennis of his life and he is in the top 10. To beat a couple of top 10 players back to back is great."

Murray raced to a quick 4-0 lead in the first set before Simon fought back to make it 4-3. But the Scot played his defensive best, forcing his opponent to pile up a catalog of errors en route to winning the first set then breaking Simon twice more for the match.

"He's defending every time, all the time. He plays always in the court, never outside," Simon said later.

"He is in good shape and he's really confident because he played - he didn't miss anything. When I had the chance to come back, he didn't give me any points."

The crowd clearly enjoyed watching Federer overcome Stepanek despite a sluggish performance at times from the Swiss world No 2. He made a miserable 34 unforced errors, six more than his opponent, but also hammered 29 winners and six aces.

His next court date is a do-or-die encounter with Murray tomorrow that means all the world to Federer but little save bragging rights from the Scot.

"It will be an interesting match and I'm looking forward to it," said Federer. "I hope the miracle can happen again," he added, referring to how he rallied back from an opening loss last season to emerge victorious.

Despite the lack of pressure on Murray, who beat Federer at their latest meeting at the Masters Series in Madrid, he promised to show no mercy and go for the jugular.

"I've beaten him three times and I'd like to make it four," Murray said. "I try and beat Federer and ideally I'd like to knock him out of the competition if I can.

"Obviously there's a lot more pressure on him to win than me and it's the first time I've played him when I've not been under pressure."

He picked himself as a favorite to win the Cup.

"The Masters Cup is a huge competition for top players and I've got a chance of winning it now."

(China Daily November 12, 2008)