Australian Open, 2nd semi-final: Roger Federer vs Andy Murray - As it happened...

Zeenews Sports Bureau

Updates by Suyash Srivastava Follow Suyash Srivastava here on twitter: @Syu4u» MATCH REPORT » Picture Gallery» |Have you put your money on Djokovic? Worth it!» ==================================================================================== Brief Summary: The semi-final might have lasted for five sets, but as well all knew, Roger Federer wasn’t at his best. Murray didn’t give him any chance whatsoever to bounce back from nail-biting moments. The Briton played some flawless tennis and he is through to the final. Federer, who is known for his serve, clearly struggled today as Murray produced 21 aces to Federer's 5. Today, Murray was the better of the two players and keeping his form in mind, we are all set for a high-voltage final on Sunday! Djokovic demolished David Ferrer in the first semi-final and he is also to become the first man to win three successive Australian Open titles in the Open era. The Serbian and the Briton have played some fantastic tennis in the tournament so far and we hope that they have saved their best for the final. ==================================================================================== FIFTH SET Murray wins it 6-2 and wins the match 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 6-7(2) 6-2 Federer to serve to stay in the match. Murray wins the first point as Federer’s backhand hits the nets. 0-15. A Federer forehand goes wide, 0-30, Murray two points away from final. Federer comes up with a super forehand, 15-30. Top return from Murray, 15-40, Murray now has two match points! Good wide serve, Murray challenges and it’s on line, Federer saves one match point! Federer’s shot lands wide and what a moment for Andy Murray! He is into the FINAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013! Federer leaves the court to a rousing reception! FIFTH SET Murray leads 5-2 Murray to serve. Federer’s forehand finds the net, 15-0. Top serve from Murray, swinging away serve, lead extended to 30-0. Good return from Federer and Murray’s returns lands short. 30-15. Top serve (203 kmph) from Murray, 40-15. Another good serve from Murray and he wins the game. FIFTH SET Murray leads 4-2 Federer to serve. The Swiss makes Murray run a lot for the point as he loses it finally. 15-0. Murray once again smashes a forehand into the nets, Federer leads 30-0. Good serve from Federer, Murray manages to return and Federer plays a winner, 40-0. Murray’s return lands long and Federer wins the game easily. FIFTH SET Murray leads 4-1 Murray to serve. Good wide first serve from Murray, 15-0. Federer’s shot lands wide, Murray leads 30-0. Excellent backhand from Murray, Federer was just a spectator there, Murray leads 40-0. And Murray seals the game with a forehand winner. FIFTH SET Murray leads 3-1 Federer to serve. Good deep return from Murray, wins the first point, 0-15. This time Murray’s forehand lands long, 15-15. Good serve from Federer, challenged by Murray and it is OUT! Federer’s shot lands long this time and Murray leads 15-30. Murray’s shot lands wide and once again challenged by Murray, this time it’s well wide. 30-30. Federer wins the next point, 40-30. Good return from Murray, picks Federer’s second serve and it’s a deuce! Federer takes the advantage with a top serve. And Federer holds his serve as Murray’s shot finds the net. FIFTH SET Murray leads 3-0 Murray to serve. Another mishit from Federer gives Murray the first point of the game, 15-0. Another top shot from Murray and he extends his lead to 30-0. Murray’s forehand continues to trouble Federer who makes another error as his shot lands wide, 40-0. Federer tries a drop shot, doesn’t clear the nets and Murray comprehensively wins the game! FIFTH SET Murray leads 2-0 Federer to serve. Murray wins the first point, 0-15. Federer wins the second as Murray’s shot goes slightly long, 15-15. Top forehand from Federer gives him the lead, 30-15. Murray wins next point as Federer’s shot goes long, 30-30. Federer’s return lands wide, 30-40, break point from Murray! And he breaks Federer’s serve! FIFTH SET Murray leads 1-0 Murray to serve. Murray wins the first point, 15-0. Federer wins the second as Murray’s shot finds the net. Another top serve from Murray, 30-15. Federer wins the next point, 30-30. Murray wins another point to lead the game 40-30. Federer’s return lands wide as Murray holds on to his serve. FOURTH SET, TIE BREAKER: Federer wins it 7-2! Federer to serve. Federer wins the first point, leads 1-0. And Murray makes another error that extends Federer’s lead to 2-0. Murray to serve. And this time Federer’s shot goes long, 2-1. Federer to serve. And Murray wins the point. 2-2. Murray’s shot lands long. Federer leads 3-2! Murray to serve. Federer once again goes to the nets, and forces Murray to make an error, which he does as Federer now leads 4-2. Murray to serve. A loose serve by Murray and Federer punishes that for a superb forehand. Federer now leads 5-2. Federer to serve. And he further extends it to 6-2 with 4 set points! And Federer wins the set as the crowd goes berserk! FOURTH SET Scores leveled 6-6 Muray to serve. Super forehand by Murray, as Federer came to the nets and Murray played a forehand to his left. 15-0. Murray’s return goes long, 15-15. Good serve from Murray, Federer couldn’t do much, 30-15. Another top point, Federer waited at the nets and delivered a winner, 30-30. Super backhand under pressure from Federer who wrong footed Murray, 30-40, break point for Federer! And what a time to make an error, Murray had ample of time and he sent that wide. Federer break Murray’s serve! FOURTH SET Murray leads 6-5 FOURTH SET Murray leads 6-5 Federer to serve. Murray wins the first point, 0-15. And second error by Federer, this time off a forehand, 0-30. Federer’s backhand lands wide as Murray now has three break points! And that’s it, Murray once again breaks Federer’s serve! Which mean, Murray will now serve for the match! FOURTH SET Scores leveled 5-5 Murray to serve, to stay in the set. Murray wins the first point off a good volley, 15-0. Another good point, and Murray produces a backhand winner, 30-0. Murray wins another point, 40-0. And Murray seals the game as Federer advances to the nets, but fails to deliver a winner. FOURTH SET Federer leads 5-4 Federer to serve. Another terrific rally between the two, Federer came up to the nets and Murray handsomely lofted that above Federer who went back but couldn’t return it. Federer makes a double fault! 30-0. Federer once again came up to the nets but this time Murray’s lofted shot landed long, 15-30. Federer wins the next point, 30-30. Federer wins the next point as Murray plays wide. 40-30. Game is back to deuce as Federer’s shot lands long. Federer has become aggressive of the two players and he smashes a forehand winner, seals the game. Federer was trailing 0-30 and it has been a superb comeback from the Swiss champ! FOURTH SET Scores leveled 4-4 Murray to serve. And Murray’s forehand lands wide, 0-15. Murray wins the next game. Murray follows that with an ace, 30-15. Another top rally, Federer got lucky there as his backhand hit the top of the net and deflected for a winner, 30-30. Top backhand from Federer, challenged by Murray, and it was in! 30-40, break point for Federer! Federer’s forehand lands wide, deuce, 40-40. Murray takes the advantage as Federer’s backhand goes wide. Federer smashes a top forehand off Murray’s second serve, back to deuce! Another top rally and Murray delivers a top backhand, and takes the advantage in the game. Murray’s backhand lands wide but Murray comes up with a challenge, and Federer wins the point as the replays suggest, that it landed on the baseline, back to deuce! Murray follows it with a top forehand winner, Murray takes the advantage. Murray’s forehand finds the net, deuce once again! Murray makes Federer run to his right and then executes one on his left for a winner, advantage Murray! And Murray seals the game as Federer’s return finds the net. FOURTH SET Federer leads 4-3 Federer to serve. Begins with a quick serve and wins the point, 15-0. Murray wins the next one, 15-15. Good wide serve from Federer and Murray’s return hits the nets. 30-15. Murray advances to the nets and smashes a forehand winner, 30-30. Murray follows it with a good return that surprised Federer, 30-40. Break point for Murray! And Murray breaks Federer’s serve, ONCE AGAIN! FOURTH SET Federer leads 4-1 Federer to serve. The Swiss wins the first three points, 40-0. Federer makes an error as his shot lands long, 40-15. Federer wins the game! FOURTH SET Federer leads 3-1 Murray to serve. Murray’s backhand hits the nets, 0-15. Murray’s slice lands wide, 0-30. Murray’s shot once again goes long, Murray challenges and its way long! Three break points for Federer! Good serve and Murray’s wins the first point of the game, 15-40. Murray follows it with an ace, 30-40. And guess what, Federer BREAKS MURRAY’S SERVE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE MATCH AS THE BRITON’S FOREHAND LANDS WIDE! FOURTH SET Federer leads 2-1 Federer to serve. And Murray wins the first point after a good rally, 0-15. Good serve from Federer, Murray’s return goes wide. And there’s one more ace from Federer! 15-15. Federer wins three more points, and the game with good serves! FOURTH SET Scores leveled 1-1 Murray to serve. The Briton wins the first point, 15-0. Superb point won by Federer off a great volley! 15-15. Good rally between the two once again, Murray wins it as Federer’s forehand lands long, 30-15. Top backhand from Federer from cross court and Murray’s return hits the nets, 30-30. Good forehand winner from Murray, 40-30. Murray seals the game with another top forehand! FOURTH SET Federer leads 1-0 Federer to serve. Good rally won by Federer as Murray’s return landed short, 15-0. Murray replies back with a fantastic return, 15-15. Murray’s return lands long, 30-15. Murray follows it with a volley winner, 30-30. Good return from Murray, Federer hits into the nets. 30-40. Break point for Murray! Top forehand from Federer, Murray falls on the court, deuce, 40-40. Federer takes the advantage. Federer’s forehand goes long, deuce once again. Federer sends Murray running to his left and then plays an easy winner! Advantage Federer! And Federer seals the game! THIRD SET Murray wins it 6-3 Murray to serve. The Briton loses the first point as his return goes into the nets, 0-15. Good long rally, won by Murray off a top backhand. 15-15. Murray extends the lead to 30-15. Another top forehand winner from Murray. 40-15. Set point. AND MURRAY SEALS THE SET WITH AN ACE! THIRD SET Murray leads 5-3 Federer to serve, to stay in the set. Top return from Murray, 0-15. Good serve from Federer, 15-15. Federer serves wide, comes up to the nets and smashes a volley for a winner, 30-15. Top forehand from Federer, 40-15. Federer’s forehand goes long, 40-30. Federer seals the game with a good serve. THIRD SET Murray leads 5-2 Murray to serve. Murray wins the first two points, 30-0. Follows it with a top serve, an ace, 40-0. And Murray holds his serve. THIRD SET Murray leads 4-2 Federer to serve. Murray wins the first point, 0-15. Federer’s forehand lands wide, 0-30. And Murray has three break point! 0-40. Federer saves the first one, 15-40. And Murray breaks Federer’s serve for the second time in the match! THIRD SET Murray leads 3-2 Murray to serve. Brilliant point won by Federer! 0-15. Federer plays a drop shot, didn’t connect that well, 15-15. Federer’s shot goes wide, 30-15. Federer plays a backhand slice, Murray hits wide. 30-30. Federer’s forehand lands long, 40-15. Murray seals the game with a volley. THIRD SET Scores leveled 2-2 Federer to serve. Good serve from Federer, 15-0. Federer extends the lead to 30-0. Good wide serve from Federer, 40-0. Federer’s backhand hits the nets, 40-15. Federer holds on, 2-2. THIRD SET Murray leads 2-1 Murray to serve. Federer’s shot hits the net, 15-0. Federer advances to the nets and his return lands long, 30-0. Good wide serve from Murray, Federer’s shot hits the net, 40-0. And Murray wins the game! THIRD SET Scores leveled 1-1 Federer to serve. Murray wins the first point, 0-15. Federer’s backhand finds the net, 0-30. Good serve from Federer and he wins the point off a volley, 15-30. Another volley, another winner for Federer, 30-30. Another top rally between the two and Federer’s backhand goes wide, 30-40, break point for Murray! Federer saves the break point as Murray’s shot goes wide, deuce, 40-40. Federer follows it with an ace, advantage Federer! Murray hits a backhand into the nets. THIRD SET Murray leads 1-0 Murray to serve. Both the players win a point each, 15-15. Federer comes up to the nets, and finds the net. 30-15. Murray extends the lead to 40-15. Murray’s forehand goes long, 40-30. Another top backhand by Murray, wins the first game. FEDERER WINS THE SECOND SET 7-6 Murray wins the first point as Federer’s shot hits the nets. Murray makes an error and the scores are leveled at 1-1. Another forehand error by Murray, Federer leads 2-1. Federer to serve. Murray’s return hits the nets, Federer leads 3-1. Federer follows it with a top forehand, 4-1. Murray to serve. Federer’s return hits the nets, Federer leads 4-2. The players go for a drinks break. Murray to serve. Another top rally, Murrsay goes for a cross court forehand, umpires say out, Murray challenges, and wins the challenge. 4-3. Federer hits the nets 4-4. Good serve by Federer, 5-4. Murray to serve. Federer’s return goes wide, by some distance, 5-5. Murray to serve. Murray advances to the nets, and Federer returns a top shot for a winner! Federer leads 6-5. Federer to serve for the SET POINT! And Murray’s return lands wide as FEDERER WINS THE SECOND SET! SECOND SET Scores leveled 6-6 Murray to serve to stay in the set. Good serve to begin with, 15-0. Murray wins another point, 30-0. Fantastic forehand from Federer, 30-15. Top serve from Murray, 40-15. Follows it with another ace, seals the game. SECOND SET Federer leads 6-5 Federer to serve. Federer wins the first three points, 40-0. He wins the game as Murray’s return finds the net. SECOND SET Scores leveled Federer leads 5-5 Murray to serve to stay in the set. Wins the first point, 15-0. In what was the rally of the match, his backhand cross court lands wide, and it is out! 15-15. Another superb rally and a top backhand from Murray seals the point for him, 30-15. Good serve from Murray, 40-15. Murray wins the game. SECOND SET Federer leads 5-4 Federer to serve. Federer wins first point, 15-0. Federer plays another drop shot and this time Murray plays a forehand winner, top shot! 15-15. Federer wins the next point off a good serve, 30-15. Murray’s backhand lands wide, 40-15. Federer seals the game with a top forehand! SECOND SET Scores leveled 4-4 Murray to serve, begins with an ace, 15-0. Follows it with another ace, 30-0. Another good serve, three in a row for Murray, 40-0. Federer plays a drop shot, Murray advances and plays a stunning backhand for a winner! SECOND SET Federer leads 4-3 Federer to serve. Another fantastic point, both the players fight with superb vollies, Murray wins it, 0-15. Good serve from Federer, 15-15. Federer wins the next point, 30-15. Murray’s return goes wide, 40-15. Federer’s forehand lands wide, 40-30. Federer makes Murray run to his right and the Briton’s forehand finds the net! SECOND SET Scores leveled 3-3 Murray to serve. Murray wins a forehand volley, 15-0. Murray’s backhand once again hits the nets, 15-15. Good serve from Murray (209 kmph), wins him the point, 30-15. Murray’s forehand goes wide, 30-30. Murray comes up to the net after a long rally, Federer plays a backhand, finds the net, 40-30. Another ace from Murray, wins the game. SECOND SET Federer leads 3-2 Federer to serve. Federer comes up to the nets and goes wide, 0-15. And Murray wins another point off a superb forehand! 0-30. Murray’s forehand finds the net, 15-30. Murray’s backhand slice goes long, 30-30. Good rally and then Murray once again hits the nets, 40-30. Federer’s backhand slice hits the nets, 40-40, deuce! Federer wins the point, takes the advantage. Federer hits his first ace of the match, Murray challenges but of no use and Federer wins the game. SECOND SET Scores levelled 2-2 Murray to serve. He wins the first point, 15-0. Good serve and Federer’s return finds the net, 30-0. Excellent rally between the two and Federer wins the point with a superb cross court forehand! 30-15. Federer’s backhand lands wide, 40-15. Good serve once again, Federer unable to return and scores leveled! SECOND SET Federer leads 2-1 Federer to serve. He begins with a fine serve, 15-0. Murray wins the next point, 15-15. Federer wins the next, 30-15. Murray’s forehand finds the nets, 40-15. Federer seals the game with a fine serve! SECOND SET Scores leveled 1-1 Murray to serve. He wins the first point, 15-0. Murray once again comes up to the nets, Federer smashes a backhand for a winner, 15-15. Good serve from Murray, 30-15. Murray extends the lead to 40-15 as Federer makes another error. Murray follows it with another ace and seals the game! SECOND SET Federer leads 1-0 Federer to serve. And he wins the first two points, 30-15. Wide serve from Federer and Murray’s return lands wide, 40-15. Federer’s forehand lands wide 40-30. Federer makes a double fault, deuce! Good serve from Federer, gives him the advantage. Deuce once again as Federer’s forehand lands wide! Murray’s backhand finds the net once again, deuce! Good serve from Roger and he seals the game further! FIRST SET Murray leads 6-4 Murray to serve for the set. Begins with a wide ace, 15-0. And Federer hits a volley for a winner, 15-15. Good serve from Murray and Federer’s return lands wide, 30-15. Murray makes Federer stretch to his left and his return finds the net, 40-15, set point for Murray and he wins it! FIRST SET Murray leads 5-4 Federer to serve to stay in the set. And the Swiss leads 15-0. Federer hits the nets, 15-15. Murray’s forehand lands inches wide, 30-15. Good serve from Federer and Murray’s return goes wide, 40-15. Good serve from Federer and an even better return from Murray, 40-30. Federer holds his serve as Murray’s forehand lands wide. FIRST SET Murray leads 5-3 Murray to serve. And he wins the first point, 15-0. Both players go for vollies and Murray wins it. 30-0. The Briton follows it with a good serve, 40-0. Federer’s backhand finds the net and Murray wins the game! FIRST SET Murray leads 4-3 Federer to serve. And Murray leads 0-30 as Federer makes two forehand errors! Federer wins one and its 15-30. And Murray wins the point of the match with a backhand winner, Federer had no chance there! Murray has two break points! 15-40. Federer comes back and its 15-30. Another fantastic point between the two players, Federer wins it and its 30-30. This time Murray’s backhand finds the net, 40-30. And Federer seals the game as Murray’s backhand once again finds the net! FIRST SET Murray leads 4-2 Murray to serve. Murray advances to the nets and Federer hits a backhand winner. 0-15. Murray smashes a forehand for a winner, 15-15. Federer’s backhand lands wide as he was playing another rally with Murray. 30-15. Excellent serve from Murray 40-15. Murray’s backhand slice lands wide, Murray challenges and it’s just wide, 40-30. Murray follows it with a good serve and wins the game. FIRST SET Murray leads 3-2 Federer to serve. And within no time, he leads 40-0. Murray’s forehand hits the net once again and Federer easily wins the game. Murray still has the lead. FIRST SET Murray leads 3-1 Murray to serve. And he leads 15-0. Another good serve and Federer’s return lands long. 30-0. A fantastic ace (212 kmph) by Murray and the lead is extended to 40-0. Murray’s backhand goes wide, 40-15. Murray’s backhand hits the nets, 40-30. Murray attempts a volley, fails and its DEUCE! Murray’s backhand once again hits the nets as Federer makes him play long rallies, advantage Federer. Excellent serve from Murray, deuce once again! Murray once again comes to the net, Federer plays a loft that goes over Murray, out called, Federer challenges and it was Out! Advantage Murray. A fine return from Federer and we are back to deuce! This time Murray comprehensively hits a volley winner! Advantage Murray. Good serve from Murray and he wins the game. FIRST SET Murray leads 2-1 Federer to serve. And guess what! Andy Murray has broken Federer’s serve in the third point of the match. It’s going to be a tough match for the Swiss champ as the Briton has already shown his call in the last three games. FIRST SET Scores leveled 1-1 Murray to serve. And he wins the point easily. FIRST SET Federer leads 1-0 And guess what, Murray was leading 40-15 in the first game before Federer came to the nets and smashed a winner. Federer wins the first point. ==================================================================================== Melbourne: The crowd at the Melbourne Park was left disappointed during the first semi-final as it proved to be a one-sided affair where Novak Djokovic demolished David Ferrer in three sets within no time. But as the legendary Roger Federer takes on the in-form Andy Murray in the second, we are rest assured of a high-voltage encounter. The Swiss machine would want to win his record 18th Grand Slam title, while Andy Murray would be seeking his maiden Australian Open title after having a great 2012. While the top players like Novak and Federer himself, have been tested by their opponents, Murray seems to have been the luckier one to have escaped any tense five-setters. Murray hasn’t lost a set so far in this year’s Australian Open and his abilities would once again be tested by Federer, who has looked extremely comfortable during the championship. It was Murray who deprived Federer of an Olympic gold as the Briton outclassed the Swiss champ in straight sets, 6-2 6-1 6-4. Federer would be wary of Murray’s resilience of late, and thus would leave no stone unturned to reach another Grand Slam final. Just like all of us, the semi-final would be watched by Novak Djokovic, who has played some incredible tennis in the tournament so far.