Roger Federer triumphed over a resilient Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6(6) on Saturday in Cincinnati, United States on Saturday.
Hopes that the Scot would use the semi-final to exact a revenge for his Wimbledon ouster at a similar stage in June evaporated when Federer pounced early earning a quick break in the third game of the first set.
He consolidated for 3-1 and pressed for a second break with a 0/30 peek at Murray’s next service game. He eventually claimed the opener in 38 minutes with a forehand winner down the line – his 14th winner of the set.
The second set was tightly fought between the two players, leading to a tie-break, which Federer won on a second match point.
For the victory, Federer’s reward is also another rematch with world number one Novak Djokovic at the finals on Sunday. Djokovic had struggled in three sets to defeat Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov, in an earlier match.
In their titanic rivalry, Federer and Djokovic have 20 wins apiece.
Sunday’s final will be their fifth encounter of the year, with Federer winning on the hard courts of Dubai and Djokovic emerging in Indian Wells, Rome and Wimbledon.
The Swiss, who sits at No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, is hoping to wrest the No. 2 spot away from Andy Murray with a successful title defence.
Murray had surged to the second position with his run to the Montreal title last week.
Federer is also eyeing an 87th tour-level crown.
He is a perfect 6-0 in finals in the American city. And he is eyeing a seventh title here.
The Basel native now owns a 14-11 edge in the FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Murray, having previously dominated their lone encounter this year in the Wimbledon semi-finals. He has won the past 10 sets played in the rivalry, spanning five consecutive wins since 2014.