Federer wins another thriller

TORONTO: Roger Federer will return to World No. 2 after reaching the Toronto Masters final by dodging a bullet for the second night in a row, beating Novak Djokovic 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 on Saturday.

The dramatic victory set up a final against fourth-seeded Scot Andy Murray, who put out Spanish World No. 1 Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4.

Federer's Toronto thriller, which took just under two and a half hours, could have gone either way despite a rollicking start from the Swiss, who raced away with the opening set in 25 minutes.

Serbia's Djokovic found his rhythm in the second set to level the tie, but Federer again took charge in the third. The Swiss grabbed a 4-1 lead only to see it eaten away as his first-serve percentage fell and Djokovic dominated in long rallies. Djokovic clawed back a break in the seventh game for 3-4 and levelled at 5-all.

Federer made his second great escape in 24 hours, after beating Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals, and broke in the final game from a Djokovic forehand that sailed long.

“It was like yesterday's match. I came out with all guns blazing in the first set,” Federer said. “But, Novak raised his game and played super-competitive.

“I had the lead in the third set but had to fight in some long rallies. He made it really tough for me. He fought bravely. I'm very happy to be back in the final,” he added. Federer, now 10-5 against Djokovic.

Murray's victory lifted him to 4-8 against Nadal after beating the Spaniard at the Australian Open earlier this year but losing to him in a Wimbledon semifinal last month.

“This is a surface I'm most comfortable on,” Murray said of the hardcourt as he beat Nadal on the surface for the fourth time in five meetings.

“I enjoy playing aggressive especially against the best players. I want to enjoy playing my game and expressing myself out on court. You never expect to beat the other top players. The margins are so thin.

“I go on court knowing that I have to play my best if I'm going to have a chance of beating them. I like playing Rafa on a hardcourt,” he added.

The World No. 4 is searching for his first title of the season after going down to Federer in the Australian Open final and missing his chance for a trophy a fortnight ago against Sam Querrey in the Los Angeles final. Nadal, reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, lost for only the sixth time this season. “Overall I'm feeling good. I've won 34 of my last 36 matches and have played well all season,” Nadal said.

Murray served two aces in the fifth game of the opening set and broke in the eighth. He set up set points in a game of three aces, converting on his second winning opportunity from Nadal's error.

Murray won 14 of the last 19 points and fired eight aces en route to victory.

Bhupathi, Mirnyi lose

In the semifinals of the doubles event, Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi stretched the Bryan brothers — Bob and Mike — before losing 4-6, 6-3, 10-4.

The Bryans will meet the French pair of Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra who reached their second final of the season with a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory over Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak.

Sharapova in final

Russia's Maria Sharapova will meet reigning U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters in the final of the Cincinnati Open.

Belgian fourth seed Clijsters needed only 12 minutes to reach Sunday's title match of the two million-dollar hardcourt event after Serbia's Ana Ivanovic retired due to a left foot injury and left the court in tears.

Sharapova needed 2-1/2 hours to defeat Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

The results: At Toronto (Rogers Cup): Semifinals: Andy Murray bt Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4; Roger Federer bt Novak Djokovic 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

Doubles: Semifinals: Bob & Mike Bryan bt Mahesh Bhupathi & Max Mirnyi 4-6, 6-3, 10-4; Julien Benneteau & Michael Llodra bt Frantisek Cermak & Michal Mertinak 7-6(5), 6-4.

At Cincinnati (WTA Cincinnati Open): Semifinals: Kim Clijsters bt Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 2-1, retd.; Maria Sharapova bt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 . — AFP