Federer marches nearer to another record

Swiss player reaches Dubai Open semis.

DUBAI: Roger Federer kept on course for a record fifth title at the Dubai Open when he reached the semi-finals in a repeat of the 2007 final against Mikhail Youzhny.

The Grand Slam record-holder from Switzerland beat the former world number eight from Russia 6-3, 6-4 with his third successive display of calm confidence, elegant ground-stroking and great solidity on the bigger points.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray, the first British male since the 1930s to reach three Grand Slam finals, earned valuable revenge over Tomas Berdych as he also reached the last-four of the tournament for the first time.

The third-seeded Scot won 6-3, 7-5 against the fifth-seeded Czech to whom he lost the last three times, making it his best sequence in four attempts at the lucrative tournament. The match ended in controversy as Berdych argued at length with the umpire over a Hawkeye decision when he had earned a point to break back for 6-6.

Murray’s appeal showed that the line judge’s call of fault had been wrong and that his unreturned serve had in fact been in. But when the umpire awarded the point to Murray, Berdych claimed the rally should have been replayed.

Berdych said he was ‘shocked’ by the decision of umpire Mohamed Lahyani, from Sweden.

“If we look at all the rule books, if it’s not a clear ace there is a repeat of point actually,” claimed the Czech.

Murray went on to close the match out in that game, although he required six more rallies and seven match points.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2012.