Roger Federer, Andy Murray cruise into ATP Tour Finals' semis
Roger Federer and Andy Murray kept the tennis universe entertainment levels high as both notched up fantastic wins to propel themselves into the semi-finals. The Swiss maestro, playing against Robin Soderling, suffered some anxious moments before winning
the match 7 – 6, 6 – 3, while Andy Murray overpowered David Ferrer in captivating manner to win 6 – 2, 6 – 2.
In the first match between Roger Federer and Robin Soderling, the Swiss maestro was forced to enter the tie-break and had Robin Soderling dog him every step of the first set. However, the world number two Federer showed why he’s known as the finest player
ever to have hit the tennis world as he overcame the jitters to wreck Soderling’s game and win the first set 7 – 6. Having bested the Swede in the first set in such brutal fashion, the Swiss then decimated Soderling by taking the second set 6 – 3.
Federer needed just one set to make it to the semi-finals; instead, he took two. He has now won all three of his group stage round robin matches without dropping a set, which is a further reminder of the sublime form he’s in. Sporting a red kit which blended
in well with the electrifying atmosphere prevalent in the iconic O2 Arena, Federer produced a powerful performance that had Soderling running helter-skelter all over the court.
Soderling, who defeated Federer in the quarterfinals at the French Open earlier this year, could not fathom what had hit him during the match. He had the Swiss maestro cornered while Federer lead 6 – 5 in the tiebreak only to leave a ripe looking backhand
shot from Federer which landed inside the baseline much to the Swede’s horror. It was all downhill from there, as nothing the Swede tried next could stop Federer from conquering the court.
Such is the immense skill of the Swiss that Soderling claimed players need luck when facing Roger Federer. Luck, as Soderling found out much to his consternation, was the one thing missing on his side.
In the other match, Andy Murray went into the match knowing exactly that he had to win just one set to cement his place in the semi-finals alongside Federer, even before his match against David Ferrer started. The outcome of Federer’s emphatic win over Robin
Soderling made the need for calculators redundant. Just like Federer though, Murray peaked at the right moments to inflict a devastating defeat on the Spaniard who lost the game in straight sets.
Andy Murray sent jitters down his fans’ spines early in the game, as he lost the first two games of the match to the Spaniard before rebounding and taking the next six games in a merciless manner. The Spaniard could only watch helplessly as the Scotsman
fired bullet fast returns all over the court leaving the Spaniard stupefied in their wake.
Andy Murray notched up his win in little more than an hour as the crowd burst into an orgy of noise and festivity to cheer on the local favourite. Despite winning the match in such an outclass manner when compared to his lacklustre defeat at the hands of
Federer in their group stage round robin match, he was cautious about his chances of making it to the finals; particularly if he is faced with the prospect of confronting Nadal in the semi-finals.
The pulverizing win of Roger Federer, on the other hand, means that he is now just two wins away from winning the season ending ATP Tour Finals for a record equalling fifth time, and taking home a $ 1.6 million jackpot. However, he will only find out his
opponent in the semi-final on Friday, as the players from Group A battle it out to cement their places in the semi-finals on Friday.
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