Andy Murray targets Masters Cup final

Andy Murray aims to continue his unbeaten run on his Masters Cup debut when he meets Nikolay Davydenko in the semi-final at 1130 GMT on Saturday.

The Scot faces the world number five less than 24 hours after knocking four-time champion Roger Federer out of the Cup in an epic contest in Shanghai.

Davydenko and Murray have met six times with each of them having three wins.

In Saturday's first semi-final, second seed Novak Djokovic beat France's Gilles Simon 4-6 6-3 7-5.

Simon, a late injury stand-in for world number one Rafael Nadal, took the first set against a below-par Djokovic but the Frenchman faded after being treated for a neck injury early in the second set.

Djokovic himself had the trainer on in the final set, for a calf injury and a long-standing breathing problem, but the Serb held on to win in two hours 51 minutes.

Murray will return to the Qi Zhong Stadium on Saturday 24 hours after battling to a 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 victory over Federer.

But the 21-year-old shrugged off suggestions that such a draining match would leave him jaded for the semi-final.

"I won't know how much it's taken out of me until Saturday," said Murray, who earlier in the week had complained about the effects of jet-lag.

"I don't feel too bad but obviously I'm on a bit of a high. I'll do all the right things and hopefully have a long night's sleep.

"I'll probably be a bit tired but if I feel good then I have a good chance of winning but if not, then it's going to be tough."

Davydenko, who is contesting a fourth Masters Cup, has had an extra day to rest after earining his semi-final place on Thursday, courtesy of a victory over Juan Martin del Potro.

After that match, the Russian said Murray would be his chosen semi-final opponent.

"Against Murray I have more chance," he said.

"I've got much better results against Murray because I've won a match and lost a match against him this year."

Murray did not need to beat Federer, as he had already sercured his place in the last four, but he could not hold back and fought brilliantly to earn a fourth win over the Swiss.

That loss put Federer out and ended his hopes of capturing a fifth Masters Cup, with Simon finishing as the Red Group runner-up behind Murray.