Murray and Federer to clash in Shanghai Masters semi-final

TENNIS:Andy Murray will resume his rivalry with Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters today.

Murray was forced to work hard for his 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Radek Stepanek, negotiating a shaky start to power past the world number 41.

The US Open champion remains on course for a third successive Shanghai Masters title, but admitted Stepanek had caused him problems.

Top seed Federer enjoyed a more comfortable passage into the semi-finals after swatting aside Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3 6-4.

The Swiss needed only 82 minutes to crush Cilic and claim the 871st win of his career. Murray and Federer have met 17 times in the past with the Scot leading 9-8.