Roger Federer claimed six ATP titles in 2012, achieving that for the first time since 2007. Roger conquered Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells, Madrid, Wimbledon and Cincinnati and finished second in the standings behind Novak Djokovic.
Andy Murray was the third-strongest link that year thanks to his first Major title at the US Open. The Briton headed to the ATP Finals as one of the title contenders in front of the home fans. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray stood ahead of Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Group A and reached the semi-final.
Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro emerged at the top in Group B to remain on the title course. On November 11, the defending champion Federer took down Murray 7-6, 6-2 in an hour and 34 minutes to write history. The Swiss became the third player with ATP Finals title clashes after Ivan Lendl and Boris Becker.
It was the 19th clash between the Swiss and the Briton, and Roger grabbed the ninth victory, the third of the season from five encounters.
Roger Federer defeated Andy Murray in the 2012 ATP Finals semi-final.
Both players struggled to find the first serve, and Federer drew more from that, defending the second serve nicely and facing only two break points.
He broke Andy three times from as many opportunities, enough to seal the deal in straight sets and arrange the final meeting with Novak Djokovic. Federer had more winners and fewer unforced errors, forcing more mistakes from his opponent and taking 15 points more.
The Swiss had a clear advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes. There was nothing to separate them in the more extended rallies, where Andy should have had the lead if he wanted to challenge Roger. The Briton grabbed a break in the encounter’s first game and cemented the advantage after hold in game two following the Swiss’ forehand error.
A service winner in game four sent Murray 3-1 up, and he brought the sixth game home with a volley winner to remain in front. Federer landed a volley winner in game seven to reduce the deficit and forced an error from Murray a few minutes later to pull the break back and level the score at 4-4.
The Swiss held at 15 in game nine to gain the first advantage since the beginning of the clash. Both players served well in the remaining games to introduce a tie break. Roger grabbed an extended rally at 5-4 and closed the set in the 12th point after forcing Andy’s backhand error after 61 minutes!
Federer clinched five straight points on the return at 1-1 in the second set to gain a massive boost. The Swiss held at 15 in game four to cement the lead and move closer to the finish line after taking 13 of the previous 17 points.
A service winner pushed Federer 4-2 in front before securing another break in game seven with a perfect backhand crosscourt winner. Roger served for the victory in game eight and fired four winners to book a place in his eighth ATP Finals title match from 11 trips to the premium ATP event.
