Murray exacts revenge on Federer in Abu Dhabi

IF Lady Luck smiles on Andy Murray like this throughout 2009 then the Scot is sure to end Great Britain's 74-year wait for a male grand slam winner.

LUCKY BOY: Andy Murray, pictured in action in Miami, edges past Federer in Abu Dhabi

Having thrown away the simplest of chances to go into an unassailable 5-1 lead in the final set against world No.2 Roger Federer, in a repeat performance of last year's US Open, Murray failed to convert and let the Swiss star back into the match.

The 12-time grand slam winner did not need a second invitation as he roared back to ensure a tie-break only for Murray to seal a place in the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on his fourth match point.

"It was a great game and great way to start the year," said Murray. "I've got quite a good record against Roger but he got the better of me in the one that mattered last year.

"I did a lot of running today and that will only help because this is my first tournament in nearly two months.

"All I need to do is keep playing the way I did towards the end of last year and hopefully get lucky and have a match like this against Roger in a major."

Murray, who booked his place in the semi-final with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over American James Blake was slow out of the blocks, losing the first set 6-4 to Federer who received a bye into the last four.

But the 21-year-old Scot stormed back to take the second set 6-2 and looked certain to maintain his impressive form against Federer and book his place in the final of the winner-takes-all $250,000 tournament, racing into a 4-1 lead.

But Murray capitulated as the Swiss ace began to hit his straps only to faulter in the tie-break allowing the Scot to eventually reach the final with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-6 (8-6) victory and extend his record over Federer to 5-2.

Murray will now face either world No.1 Rafael Nadal or Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the final.