Murray aims to knock out Federer

MASTERS CUP, Shanghai:
Dates: 9-16 November Starts: 0600/1000 GMT daily Coverage: Live on Sky Sports; live text commentaries on BBC Sport website; every match live on Radio 5 Live sports extra

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Murray is aiming to end Federer's run in the season-ending Masters Cup

Britain's Andy Murray is aiming to knock Roger Federer out of the Masters Cup when the pair meet in the final group match at 1200 GMT on Friday.

The Swiss world number two must beat Murray if he is to join the Scot in the Shanghai semi-finals on Saturday - or Gilles Simon will go through instead.

"Ideally I'd like to knock him out of the competition if I can," said Murray, who has won both his Red Group matches.

"I'd rather not have to play him twice in a week - he's the best player ever."

Federer must beat Murray in their final round-robin match if he is to continue his quest for a fifth Masters Cup crown.

The 27-year-old lost his opening match to Simon but kept his hopes alive after beating Radek Stepanek, who is in Shanghai as a late replacement for the injured Andy Roddick.

Simon, who plays Stepanek on Friday at 1000 GMT, can only join Murray and Gold Group qualifiers Novak Djokovic and Nikolay Davydenko in the last four if Federer loses to the Scot.

606: DEBATE If I were Andy, beating Fed the first time round is priority - beating Fed will send a very strong message to the rest GrumpyJoeWalsh

Murray was beaten by Federer in the US Open final but the 21-year-old avenged that defeat on his way to the Madrid Masters title last month, and says the tables have turned.

"Obviously there's a lot more pressure on him (Federer) to win more than me," said Murray.

"It will be the first time I've played him when I've not been under pressure.

"I've beaten him three times; I'd like to make it four. I don't need to try and find a balance, I just need to try and beat Federer."

Murray has only lost once since his defeat by Federer at Flushing Meadows in September and only three times on the ATP tour since his quarter-final loss to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.

Federer, who has been struggling with a stomach upset at the Masters Cup, admits the Scot is the in-form player in Shanghai.

"I'm looking forward to the match, it should be interesting," said Federer. "He's a wonderful player and has had a great end to the season.

"He's definitely the guy probably most in form. It's an interesting match-up."

Against Murray I have more chance, it doesn't matter how Murray plays, I think I have more of a chance Nikolay Davydenko

After seeing off Juan Martin del Potro to reach the last four in Shanghai, Davydenko hopes to be drawn against Murray when Saturday's semis are finalised.

As the runner-up of the Gold Group, Davydenko will meet the winner of the Red Group, which will be determined by the outcome of Murray's match.

"Against Murray I have more chance, it doesn't matter how Murray plays, I think I have more of a chance," said the Russian, who has a 3-3 head-to-head record with the Briton but has never beaten Federer.

"Federer lost against Simon and is not playing his best tennis at the moment, but every day he is a different guy, for me Murray is the priority.

"I have a good record against Murray, which is much better as I have beaten him this year.

"But it's a different situation with Federer as I have a 12-0 record against him, I have never won."

The semi-finals will be played on Saturday in Shanghai with the final on Sunday.