Murray rallies past Federer in Doha; Roddick defeats Monfils to reach finals

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World No. 4 Andy Murray (pictured) came from behind in his semifinal match against Roger Federer on Friday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha to defeat the Swiss, 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-2. Fourth-seeded American Andy Roddick also advanced by defeating fifth-seeded Gael Monfils, 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3, to earn his first win against the Frenchman in his last four outing, but more importantly a place in the championship match.

In defeating Federer for the third straight time, Murray rebounded nicely after losing the first set, as he was able to break serve twice in the second and third sets. Both players fired seven aces, but the Scot won an impressive 89 percent of first serve points compared to 69 percent by the former top-ranked star.

“It was a very tough match, I relaxed a bit after I got the break in the second set,” said Murray. “It is great to have such a great record against Federer. He's arguably the best player in the history of tennis.”

Having lost last year to Murray at the Masters Series Madrid and Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, Federer now falls to 2-5 lifetime against the in-form Scot. The 13-time grand slam champion, who won the Doha title in 2005 and 2006, now falls to 15-2 at this event.

Despite three solid performances to reach the final four, Federer was clearly disappointed in his semifinal performance, saying: “It is disappointing to lose after winning the first set and also because I had played well in the first three rounds.”

Monfils, currently ranked No. 13 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, looked to have things under control against Roddick as he led 5-4 and held a set point, but quickly had his serve broken. Roddick, a former World No. 1 and US Open champion in 2003, then took the first set tiebreak in convincing fashion, losing only one point. The Frenchman, who is now coached by Lleyton Hewitt’s old coach Roger Rasheed, showed signs of life in the second set after receiving back treatment, winning the set, 6-3.

“I enjoyed the match even if I lost,” said Monfils. “I had the biggest chance when I served for the first set but did not play a good game.”

Despite having his serve broken early in the final set, Roddick managed to produce more consistent tennis than Monfils and earned a crucial break of serve at 4-3 in the final set. Roddick closed things out on his own serve, winning the final set, 6-3, in a three-set match that lasted just over two hours.

The 26-year-old, who won three ATP singles titles last year, will be making his first appearance in the Doha finals. Roddick is the first American to reach the Doha finals since Jan-Michael Gambill finished as runner-up in 2003. Despite having a 2-5 record against Murray, Roddick looks to become just the second American to win the Doha title. American legend Jim Courier won the Doha title in 1997 by defeating British star Tim Henman.