Andy Murray has the chance to extend his amazing record over Roger Federer when they meet in the Qatar Open semi-finals today.

British No1 Murray defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine 6-4, 6-2 while Swiss star Federer beat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber to set up their eighth meeting.

Murray, the defending champion and world No4, has beaten Federer five times although the Swiss star did triumph in the US Open Final last year and in the final of the ATP tournament in Bangkok in 2005

World No2 Federer said: "It's a pity it's not the final. I've only beaten him in finals."

Gael Monfils takes on Andy Roddick in the other semi-final having knocked out No1 seed Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4.

World No1 Nadal said: "Maybe I need more time on court. There is still one and a half weeks to go for the Australian Open."

Anne Keothavong narrowly missed out on her first WTA final after Elena Vesina beat the British No1 6-7, 6-1, 7‑5 at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Keothavong fought back from 5-3 down to take the first set of the semifinal on a tie-break.

Russian Vesina swept through the next set in 39 minutes and the third set went with serve until the seventh game when Keothavong was broken after falling foul of a contentious line call.