Federer relishing semi-final clash with Murray

ROGER Federer insists he cannot wait for his semi final face-off with Andy Murray at the Cincinatti Masters, despite his poor record against the Scot.

 I'M READY: Roger Federer is looking forward to his meeting with Andy Murray, despite his poor record against the Scot

The world number one booked his semi-final spot with a routine 6-3, 6-4 victory over Lleyton Hewitt and looks in ominous form ahead of his defence of the US Open which starts on August 31, but has won only two of his his previous eight encounters with Murray.

The Scot has regularly had the better of Federer at tour level, winning each of the four matches between the pair since the Swiss master destroyed a fatigued Murray in last year's US Open final.

But Federer, who has captured the French Open title and regained the Wimbledon title since then, is adamant he is looking forward to today's semi-final. 

"We've always had close matches against each other so I'm excited about playing him again," said Federer.

"Playing against fellow top players is always a thrill - these are the times we work really hard in the off-season for.

"I've played him on several occasions now over the last few years and he's become much more experienced.

"He's getting up there in the tournament count but that just makes him more exciting play, especially with him being on the run he's on after winning Montreal."

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic both came through their quarter finals in Cincinnati to ensure it is only the 13th tour-level tournament in 25 years to feature the top four in the men's world rankings at the semi-final stage.

Nadal overcame Czech Tomas Berdych  6-4, 7-5 while Novak Djokovic, runner-up to Murray in Cincinnati last season, defeated France's Gilles Simon 6-4, 7-5.