Murray, Federer for rematch in Cinci

Novak Djokovic is eager to take an “extra step” at the Western and Southern Open as he aims for the elusive Cincinnati title. Djokovic, seeking a 20th ATP Masters 1000 title, will try to claim his first trophy on the hardcourts of Cincinnati after losing in the final four times.

But just what everybody were anticipating at the start of the tournament, waiting for Federer in the semifinals is a familiar face in Murray, who is coming off a big win over Novak Djokovic in a thrilling three-set final (6-4, 4-6, 6-3) at Rogers Cup. “I played better than I did yesterday, but still I need to get at least a level or two higher tomorrow in order to win the title”.

So when defending champion Federer followed Nadal onto court for the concluding match, he knew he would not be facing his old adversary. Federer beat Andy Murray in straight sets.

Already up 5-1, Federer refused to concede another game, pressing Anderson through five deuces before breaking for the match, 6-1, after just 55 minutes-his fastest match in what is now a tally of 39 wins as Cincinnati.

Murray had fought back to beat Richard Gasquet to book his place in the last four and he needed to find something extra to get back into this one.

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

“It’s going to be the first time we’ve met (since) the French Open final”, Djokovic said about his upcoming clash with Wawrinka.

Victoria Azarenka became the fourth woman to withdraw from the tournament when she had to quit her evening match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova because of an injured upper left leg. It bothered her as she won the first set 6-1, and she quit three games into the second set. Last year, the Swiss also triumphed over Murray 6-3 7-5 in the quarterfinal of the Cincinnati Masters. Obviously last couple of years, it was always in the back of my mind, the potential history making, and obviously that motivates me even more.

The Swiss has ridden an ultra aggressive game plan in cruising into Saturday’s semi-finals, downing Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic took a medical timeout in the second set, got a little help in the tiebreaker, and pulled away to a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over Alexandr Dolgopolov on Saturday in the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open. He dominated proceedings in the first set, firing 12 winners and claiming 83 per cent of total service points, snagging the lone break in the sixth game after Lopez fell in a 0/40 hole.

Murray played a superb drop shot and Federer a sublime backhand victor in a tight seventh game as the set continued to go with serve.

“It’s a pleasure to play that way because it doesn’t happen very often that you feel this good”. “I had to unfortunately make that decision”.