Roger Federer set for Murray semi in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China — For the first time in the four-year existence of the Shanghai Masters, the top four seeds have reached the semi-finals.

Top-seeded Roger Federer, No. 2 Novak Djokovic, No. 3 Andy Murray, and No. 4 Tomas Berdych succeeded in meeting the expectations of their seedings on Friday.

The top four men’s seeds have also reached the semi-finals at four other tournaments this year: Australian Open; Doha, Qatar; Estoril, Portugal; and Umag, Croatia.

Federer turned out Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 6-4 to set a semi-final date with Murray, the two-time defending Shanghai champion.

“I assume he’s very confident right now and probably playing with a little bit less pressure,” Federer said of Murray. “Then again, that can go either way. It’s been a long year for all of us.

“I’m looking forward to the match. It’s always great playing the best players.”

Murray won their last match in the London Olympics final to lead their matchups 9-8. Murray also beat Federer in the 2010 Shanghai final.

Murray improved his Shanghai record to 11-0 by overcoming a tenacious Radek Stepanek 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals by pasting unseeded Tommy Haas of Germany 6-3, 6-3. He’ll face Berdych, who outlasted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the first match of the day. Berdych has beaten Djokovic only once in 10 matches.

Federer was merely solid, managing to save five of seven break point opportunities he offered to Cilic. He was broken in the fourth game of the first set and when serving for the match at 5-3 in the second.

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