Live text - Murray v Davydenko

Masters Cup latest:

Semi-final:

A Murray (GB) * v N Davydenko (Rus)

2-2

*denotes server

LATEST ACTION (all times GMT)

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By Piers Newbery

FIRST SET:

Murray 2-2 Davydenko
After a marathon opening three games, Davydenko smacks down an ace for a love game.

1245: We've just had a bit of MC Hammer on the changeover. I'm trying to decide whether it's an improvement on Chesney Hawkes and Chumbawumba from the first match.

Murray 2-1 Davydenko
I'm glad I will never have to play Nikolay Davydenko. An already exhausted Murray falls 15-30 down and is then subjected to tennis torture - Davydenko stands in the middle of the court and sends Murray scurrying from side to side, backwards and forwards, brings him to the net, then lobs him. Murray runs back but can barely raise his racquet to swipe the ball into the net. Amazing stuff.

Just as amazing is the way Murray gets back from 15-40 to deuce, Davydenko gets a third break point but goes wide and the Scot eventually holds. He needs to get this over in straight sets if he's to have any chance, surely.

1236: "I think Djokovic has a lot to do this weekend to prove he deserves to be ahead of Murray in the rankings. For my money, Murray is now the better player. It's the improvement in the serve that clinches it."
From Adam, Edinburgh, via text on 81111

Murray 1-1 Davydenko
There is a glimmer of hope for Murray at 15-30 but Davydenko levels with a big second serve. He follows up with a wayward backhand, however, and it's break point. Davydenko is pushed back by a floating return that clips the line and the Russian sticks a forehand in the net. Murray looks shattered, but he's level.

1230: "Key element for Murray is first serve percentage. Hit 60%+ first serves will win this match."
From RightJudgeIam on 606

Murray 0-1 Davydenko
It's the start that all Murray fans dreaded as Davydenko punished him with relentless hitting from the baseline, earning two break points at 15-40, but a Murray serve saves the first and the Russian blazes a forehand drive-volley wide on the second. Still, a third chance arrives for Davydenko but he catches the net cord and goes wide. A fizzing backhand down the line earns him break point number four and the Russian takes it with one of his bizarre, but effective, two-handed volleys. All that for 1-0.

1224: "I could see Murray, as ridiculous as it sounds, overtaking Roger Federer and becoming three, maybe two in the world next year."
Jonathan Overend on 5 Live Sports Extra

1220: "Please welcome onto court, from Great Britain, Annnddddyyyyyy.... Moooooorrraaaaayyyy!" Blimey, they're giving it the big one today. So that's the players out on court then, Murray in his very Scottish dark blue and Davydenko in a powder blue number. The Russian wins the toss and decides to receive serve.

1217: There was much interest during the first semi-final around the, frankly, pretty lady cheering on Djokovic. As the Serb struggled in the first set, Judy Murray told 5 Live Sports Extra: "I'm wondering if this gorgeous girl who has appeared in his players' box is proving a bit of a distraction."

Apparently Djoko was asked who she was in his press conference the other day and replied simply: "Miss Universe 2006." The old charmer. A quick investigation finds that she actually has a name - Zuleyka Rivera. She's from Puerto Rico and is apparently a star in Telemundo's soap opera Dame Chocolate. I've got 900 channels at home, it must be on one of them.

1212: Murray and Davydenko have met six times and have three wins apiece, with one victory each this year - the Russian winning last time out in Dubai, way back in March.

Murray is unbeaten so far in Shanghai on his Masters Cup debut and is on course to scoop $1.34m if he wins the whole thing, as an undefeated champion gets a massive bonus. Davydenko lost his opening round-robin match against Djokovic but has been getting stronger by the match.

1205: Afternoon all, and welcome to the penultimate day of action on the ATP Tour for this year. Andy Murray goes from strength to strength but has he recovered sufficiently from his epic win over Roger Federer on Friday to deal with the metronomic baseline skills of Nikolay Davydenko?

The winner will take on Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final (0800 GMT) after the Serb beat Frenchman Gilles Simon 4-6 6-3 7-5 in today's first semi-final.