Madrid - Andy Murray turned the tables on Roger Federer as he earned revenge after losing at the US Open by moving past the Swiss 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday and into the Madrid Masters final.
Murray, who won the last Masters event in August in Cincinnati, will line up on Sunday against the winner from Rafael Nadal and French outsider Gilles Simon.
Murray secured the match six weeks after losing the US Open final to the Swiss, as Federer won his 13th Grand Slam title.
Murray called the victory "a great match, a top five match."
"When you play Federer or Nadal, you have a respect for them, you expect a tougher match. When it's close they can raise their game and they come back when they are behind."
Murray now stands 2-1 over Federer this season following a victory over the former number one in Dubai in February.
Murray moved into winning position as he broke for 6-5 in the final set after Federer had saved two break points in the game. Murray finally managed to come good on his seventh opportunity of the set where he had the majority of the chances.
The Scot then advanced into the final a game later when Federer returned long.
"Against Roger it's difficult to play, once he gets confidence he's hard to stop," said Murray. "Today I changed my serve. He missed a lot when I wasn't expecting it."
Murray won his 47th match of the season as he bids for his fourth title of 2008.
Federer confirmed that he will play next week at his home event in Basle after returning from a three-week pause only this week.
"Andy served very well and returned with much more confidence than he did in New York," said the Swiss.
"It was an even match, a close match at the end," added Federer who failed in his attempt to claim his first Masters shield of the season.
"He had more opportunities in the third set (seven break points, only the last converted). It was a frustrating loss in some respects. But if someone is serving well there is not a lot you can do.
"This has been a good week," said the second seed who took three weeks away from the game. "I move onto Basle with a good feeling.
"After the US Open, I wanted to win a couple of titles and hopefully a Masters event. I got though some tough matches this week, but just not quite today." (dpa)
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