Flying Fed sinks Murray

Federer: Into semi-finals

Also see

• Results
• Player profiles
• Galleries
• Tennis on Sky
• Video

Roger Federer came storming back from a set down to beat Andy Murray 3-6 6-3 6-1 at the ATP World Tour Finals and qualify from the round robin stage.

The world number one had lost two of his three meetings with Britain's best this year, but he looked determined to level that record and did so in some style at the O2 Arena.

Federer broke in the very first game although Murray responded and took the first set, but from then on the 22-year-old was always on the back foot as the Swiss grabbed a second win to make it through from Group A.

Murray faces Fernando Verdasco in his final group game and needs a win to give himself a chance of qualifying, but the result of Federer's final game against Juan Martin Del Potro will also have a say on who goes through.

The Argentinian US Open champion could still make the final four of the tournament, and it still might come down to sets and games won after the final round of group games.

Fast start

From the very start Federer looked fired up and after taking the first point he also took the first game when breaking the Murray serve, but the Scot responded immediately to break right back in the next.

After fending off deuce in the fifth game Murray powered into a 0-40 advantage on Federer's next service game, and took the second break point to go 4-2 ahead.

A double fault in the next game gave Federer one of two chances to break straight back but Murray held on and went on to take the opening set 6-3.

Federer continued to press the Murray serve in the second set and this time it eventually paid off for the Swiss, as he got the break in the sixth game to lead 4-2.

Murray had a great chance in the very next game but after deuce Federer came through, just as he did in his next service game when he recovered from a couple of wayward shots to serve out the set 6-3.

Firing

Murray came out firing in the third set with a superb backhand on the retreat helping him win his opening service game, but in his next he soon found himself 0-40 down and despite saving two break points Federer converted the third.

The world number one was well on top now and he showed how much he wanted the win with a loud roar after securing a second break to make it 4-1, which soon became 5-1 after a commanding hold.

Murray manfully tried to save the match as he fended off two match points, but he could not save the third as Federer completed a fourth win over Murray to move into the semi-finals.

World number four Murray looked down and out throughout the final set and the margin of that defeat could yet come back to haunt him depending on the final group results.