Djokovic between Murray,three-peat

When play resumed,Murray only needed five points to finish off the match.

Two-time defending champion Andy Murray beat Roger Federer in a rain-affected semifinal on Saturday to set up a rematch of the U.S. Open final against Novak Djokovic at the Shanghai Masters. Djokovic moved into his 10th final of the year by beating fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych 6-3,6-4 in the earlier semifinal.

Murray broke Federer in the fifth game of the first set but then wasted seven break points in the first game of the second,as the top-ranked Swiss managed to hold serve before a brief rain delay interrupted the match. But Federer couldnt stave off Murray as he again broke to go up 3-2,but the U.S. Open champion had to endure one more rain delay before serving out the match. The players went off the court for about 30 minutes at 5-4,while organizers closed the eight-petal magnolia-shaped roof. When play resumed,Murray only needed five points to finish off the match.

Murray had lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final before exacting revenge a month later at the London Olympics. Murrays incredible run culminated in his first Grand Slam win at the U.S. Open where he defeated Djokovic in five sets in the final.

Meanwhile,second seed Djokovic cruised into the Shanghai final with an easy win over the Czech. The Serbian converted his second break point to lead 5-1 in the first set before Berdych put up some fight to slow his progress.

Djokovic was equally impressive in the second set,capitalising on an early break to lead 4-2 before eventually serving out to sail into his first Shanghai final. Obviously its a big challenge when you play a Top 10 player, said Djokovic,who lost back-to-back Shanghai semi-finals in 2009 and 2010.

Tomas is in great form the past couple of months. Hes always a difficult player to play against on any surface because he has a very powerful serve and great forehand. I played tactically right. I was putting a lot of returns into the court,putting a lot of pressure on his serve. On the other hand,I was serving well when I needed to.

In contrast,Berdych did not have his serve going when he needed. Hes a great player, said the Czech after succumbing to his 10th defeat in 11 meetings with Djokovic. I think just the game that he plays its not the one that suits my game that much, said the 27-year-old.

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I like to play quite aggressive. But this doesnt hurt him that much. So its much more difficult for me to play him. Hes the second player in the world,chasing for the first place. Its really tough to find the way and have a positive record with him, added Berdych.

Another Brit in final

TOKYO: Heather Watson will have the opportunity to become the first Briton to win a WTA singles title since 1988 when she takes on Taiwans Chang Kai-chen in the Japan Open final on Sunday. British number two Watson squeaked past Japans Misaki Doi 7-6 7-5 in Saturdays semi-finals and was doubtless expecting to face top seed Samantha Stosur for the Osaka crown.