Five-time Cincinnati champ Federer, who lost in the final last week in Toronto, next faces hard-hitting Canadian Milos Raonic who rolled over Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-0 earlier Friday.

With this victory, Federer has levelled the career head-to-head record, against Murray, 11-11.

As reported by ATPWorld, Federer drew first blood against Murray, breaking him  on his seventh attempt to surge ahead 3-2 in the first set. The World No. 3 broke the Scot once more to close out the set 6-3, aided by winning 82 per cent of his first serve points (14 of 17) and saving both break points he faced on his own serve.

“I hit the ball well,” said Federer. “I was the more aggressive guy out there. I was having more impact from the baseline and on the serve.”

The 27-year-old Murray rebounded in the second set, breaking Federer in the third and fifth games to take a 4-1 lead. Federer proceeded to level the set, breaking Murray twice and holding his own serve to draw even at 4-4. Both players held serve until Murray bowed out on his serve, relinquishing the battle at 7-5. (Watch one of Federer’s winners here: http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Media/Videos/Uploaded/2014/8/15/Cincinnati-2014-Friday-Hot-Shot-Federer.aspx#ooid=M3ZHFvbzqrPSxJJBgnVvLAxZAHG6tkKs

“In the second set, I lost a little bit of the rhythm,” Federer added. “From the baseline, he was hitting the ball well – harder and deeper… I snuck in a quick break, and next thing you know, I’m back. I feel like I stole that second set.”

“I started the match off pretty slow tonight,” said Murray. “Federer came out quick. Then I had a couple break points in back to back games to get into it in the first set; didn’t get either of them.

“Then obviously was well up in the second and blew it. It’s a shame.”

Murray was making his 10th appearance In Cincinnati. He claimed the crown twice, in 2008 and 2011, defeating Djokovic on both occasions.

In the women’s version, five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova reached the semi-finals  with a three set win over Simona Halep in a rematch of the French Open final.

The Russian, who won in three sets in Roland Garros earlier this year, rallied to defeat the second-seeded Romanian 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and will play Ana Ivanovic who beat  Elina Svitolina, 6-2, 6-3,  for a spot in the final.

.With reports by atpworldtour.com