Federer beats Murray in Cincinnati semi

World number one Novak Djokovic battled back to beat Ukrainian qualifier Alexandr Dolgopolov 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 yesterday to reach the final of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters.

But with the start of the US Open just nine days away, Djokovic needed on-court treatment from the tournament doctor, and pain-killing medication after he complained of tightness in his abdomen early in the second set. Similar to the first set, Federer was still applying pressure against Murray in his service games but the 2013 Wimbledon champion refused to be broken. Federer had a break point opportunity to break for a 4-3 lead, but was unable to convert as a tie-break approached. The defending champion is trying for an unprecedented seventh title in Cincinnati.

“Today it was a tough one”, Murray said.

epa04891990 Andy Murray of Great Britain hits a return shot to Richard Gasquet of France during their quarterfinal round match in the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, USA, 21 August 2015.

“Luckily for me I managed to bounce back, dig myself out of this hole I was in”, added Djokovic, who admitted he had struggled to adjust to the conditions. “That was the difference”.

But the Swiss looked sharp as he broke in the third game and was toying with Murray at times, playing a superb whipped forehand victor in the ninth as the remainder of the first set went with serve.

It wasn’t the first time that Djokovic has fallen behind to him.

Lopez reached the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory Thursday night over eighth-seeded countryman Rafael Nadal, while Federer advanced to the final eight with an energy-saving 6-1, 6-1 rout of South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. A trainer checked his lower rib cage on his left side and his abdomen – Djokovic called it a “minor problem”.

[Djokovic] just plays more carefully on the big points.

Tennis is a humbling sport, as Williams found out last week at the Rogers Cup against Belinda Bencic, so for Djokovic to hang in long enough for the win, all the drama is set up for something special on Sunday. “You have to beat him and go for the risk”, said Dolgopolov. “You make a decision and you have to roll on it”.

Dolgopolov committed 20 unforced errors as the third set slipped away.

Djokovic took a medical timeout after the fifth game of the second set.