Federer rolls on as Murray pulls out
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Shanghai Daily, November 4, 2011
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Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory after his match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland during day three of the Swiss Indoors at St Jakobshalle on November 2, 2011 in Basel, Switzerland. |
Roger Federer advanced to the Swiss Indoors quarterfinals in Basel on Wednesday, while Andy Murray withdrew injured just before his first-round match.
Federer, defending the title at his hometown event, dropped a set against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland for the first time in their 12 matches but came through 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
"It was still a good match, I thought, for me to come through," said Federer, who is playing his tournament since the US Open and served three straight double faults when broken in the second set. "It was due to my ups and downs that he got a chance."
Murray's injury left the third-seeded Swiss a clearer path to a possible final against top-ranked Novak Djokovic for a third straight year.
"I never saw (Murray) as a potential opponent anyway because I'm too focused on what I have to do," Federer said. "I am sure it is somewhat disappointing for the tournament director after going through all the headaches with the wildcards."
Muscle strain
The second-seeded Scot, who requested a late entry last week, cited a right gluteal muscle strain ahead of playing Robin Haase of the Netherlands. Murray had also been scheduled to partner his brother Jamie in an evening doubles match.
Five of the current top-eight men originally lined up in a tough main draw, yet only Federer and Djokovic remain. Murray followed Mardy Fish of the United States in succumbing to injury, and Czech Tomas Berdych was ousted Tuesday by wildcard entry Kei Nishikori.
Sixth-seeded Janko Tipsarevic, like Fish on Tuesday, retired hurt in his first-round match.
Tipsarevic retired on serve while trailing Florian Mayer of Germany 5-1 in the first set. The Serb will have to reach at least the final in Paris next week if he's to qualify for the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals in London.
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