Murray Beats Federer to Reach Final in Shanghai

US Open champion Andy Murray defeated world number one Roger Federer in their semi-final clash  at the Shanghai Masters overnight and will now play second seed Novak Djokovic in the final.

The 25 year old Scot is now on course to win his third straight title in the Chinese city after beating the Swiss ace, 6-4, 6-4 in a seemingly one-sided final.

Murray took the first set after three straight double faults from Federer handed him the crucial break in the 5^th game.

In the second, two rain delays threatened to upset Murray’s rhythm but he managed to keep his composure and served out the match to win.

"He didn't serve that well for him so I was able to be very aggressive on his second serve," Murray said. On Federer’s three straight double faults Murray added: "I haven't seen him do that in his whole career. I was being aggressive on the second serve, but still that is not something he would normally do.”

He now faces world number two Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.

Djokovic had an easy win against fourth seed Tomas Berdych, beating the Czech player 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic had yet to drop a set in the tournament and continued this fine record throughout his match. He broke Berdych’s first and second service game and looked like running away with the opening set.

However 27 year old Berdych, who is competing for one of the remaining places in the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month, fought back with the Serb having to relinquish his lead to only one service break and made the five time grand slam champion work to serve out the set.

Yet Djokovic came back in the second set, needing just the one service break to advance to the final on Sunday against Murray.

Djokovic currently leads their head-to-head battle 8-7 however the Scot has won their past two previous meetings, the most recent victory being the US Open final.