Murray pips Federer in warm-up
Andy Murray begins 2009 with three-set win over Roger Federer
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Friday, 02, Jan 2009 10:35
Andy Murray continued his perfect start to the 2009 tennis season with a three-set victory over world number two Roger Federer in an Abu Dhabi exhibition event.
The Scot bounced back from a slow start, which saw him lose the first set to the Swiss star, before recapturing some of the blistering form that produced his best season to date in 2008.
He broke Federer three times in the second set and just about held on in the third to seal a 4-6 6-2 7-6 victory, which puts him into the final of the mini tournament against the winner of Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko - who play in the second semi-final tomorrow.
Although Murray stumbled at times during the match, including right at the start as he surrendered his first service game and at 4-5 down on his serve when he turned a 40-0 advantage into losing the first set, there were also signs that the young Briton has lost none of his tenacity and intensity.
In some remarkable exchanges in the second and third sets, Murray looked in complete control against one of the world's top players - moving him around the court at will and mixing up his shots.
Murray's concentration seemed to let him down at key moments, but he battled through for a good win.
The victory will not count in the head-to-head record between the two men, as it comes in an exhibition match, although it means the fourth-ranked Scot has now beaten Federer in their last three meetings - including knocking him out of the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai last November.