Andy Murray Thrashes Federer In Shanghai Final

Andy Murray lifted his second title of the year as he saw off the challenge of Roger Federer to win the Shanghai Masters.

It was the second time that Murray had beaten the former world number on in a Masters final this year, winning in Toronto to take the title.

And it was the Scot who made the stronger start as he broke Federer at the first time of asking, in the very first game to immediately seize the advantage.

The world number four was serving well as playing with confidence and assurance but Federer was not out of the set as he had chances to break back in the third game.

But there was an uncharacteristic error from the Swiss a forehand drop shot went wide and his chance to level the set disappeared.

Murray's intensity did drop in the middle of the opening set as he let the chance of a double break in the seventh game slip by. But by the end of the set Murray was back on form and an outstanding forehand pass saw the Scot break Federer for the second time and take the set 6-3.

Into the second and Federer have chances to break but he twice failed to gain the advantage when he was 15-40 up, Murray saving his best for when he needed it.

The break for Murray came in the fourth game as Federer was forced to replay a point when a winning shot was called out. Clearly unhappy by the call Federer's concentration dipped and Murray took full advantage.

Holding onto his serve in the next game it soon became 4-1 and Murray was well and truly in control as Federer just couldn't come up with any play that could break his opponents defences.

A second break sealed the win for Murray as Federer dumped the ball into the net. And after just an hour and twenty five minutes Murray had his second title of the year under his belt.

Murray looked a completely different player to the one who had limped out of the U.S. Open back in September before giving a lifeless display against Ivan Ljubicic in the China Open just last week.

Speaking to the ATP after the match Murray said: "I enjoy playing him. I don't find it easy at all. It's incredibly difficult every time.

"But I love the challenge of playing against him. I don't fear playing him. Every time I go on, I know I need to play great tennis to win against him.

"I don't know if my game matches up well against his or not. But I've played some of my best tennis against Roger."

Reaching the final of the Shanghai Masters has guaranteed Murray a spot in the ATP World Tour finals in November at the O2 while Federer's final berth has seen him reclaim the world number two spot from Novak Djokovic.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw