Murray shocks Federer in biggest career win

By Bill Scott Aug 16, 2006, 22:25 GMT

Cincinnati - Andy Murray ended the 55-match North American hard-court winning streak of Roger Federer 7-5, 6-4 Wednesday, earning the biggest victory of his career at the Cincinnati Masters.

The 19-year-old, now assured of a top-20 ranking, was in shock after the unexpected victory, during which Federer's serve went completely off the boil.

'I don't think Roger played his best, but I give myself credit, also,' said Murray. 'It's not enough just to play against Roger. You have to remain solid.'

Cincinnati has been a career low point for the Swiss world number 1, who lost his last match on hard-court on West of the Atlantic when he went out to Dominik Hrbaty in the first round two years ago at the Midwest venue.

Federer, who won his seventh 2006 title last weekend in Toronto, was unhappy with his letdown less than a fortnight before the start of his US Open title defence.

'That is what I regret. I couldn't hit one first serve,' said the top seed and defending champion.

'I felt OK. I wasn't tired. But it's disturbing and disappointing. I'm sorry the match didn't end the way I wanted. He played pretty well, and I have to give him credit. He was able to close it out when he had to.'

Second seed Rafael Nadal completed a victory over Hyung-taik Lee Wednesday as he beat the Korean 6-4, 6-3 to advance.

The one-hour, 20-minute win was a duplicate of similar success a week ago in the Toronto second round, Nadal's last win in Canada before losing to Czech Tomas Berdych.

The 20-year-old double French Open winner improved to 47-6 this season.

Nadal will next face 14th seed Tommy Haas after the German defeated Gilles Simon of France 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis ended the run of Frenchman Gael Monfils 7-6 (10-8), 2-6, 6-1. Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero came alive over American sixth seed James Blake in a 6-2, 6-4 win.

That 64-minute victory was the second for the Spaniard after beating Blake in 2002 in Cincinnati.

Nadal, who owns five titles this season, with four wins coming over Federer, is ramping up his hard-court game prior to the August 28 start of the US Open.

'I didn't play a bad match today. After I got used to conditions, I improved my return,' said Nadal. 'My goal is improve in every surface, improve my game.'