Instant Classic.

Wow.  Only one word seems to sum up the round robin match between Murray and Federer today...wow.

The blockbuster semifinal stage was set when Simon defeated Stepanek earlier in the day to put the pressure on Fed.  The stakes were simple, Fed wins and he is in the semis, he loses and he goes home.  

Murray stakes were much different, win or lose he was in the semis, he was only playing for a seed.  Someone forgot to tell Murray this information, because he played the match as if it was his last ever.  

Federer, revealing he had a stomach virus, was now fighting four opponents...Sickness, his hurt back, Murray, and his own errors.  

What happened over the next 3+ hours reminded us just how good Murray is, and just how huge of a champion Federer is.  

Murray defeated Federer 4-6,7-6(3),7-5.

1st set:  Murray started off slow, and Fed was hitting his spots, and raced to an early break.  The middle of the set was really when the tennis started to pick up and the Master Fed opened to a 6-4 lead.  

2ND set:  Murray pounced on a tired looking Fed to go up 5-2...leading to Fed breaking him back twice to even the set and send it into a breaker.  Murray played an almost flawless tiebreak to even the match at one set all.

AFTER THE 2ND SET FED CALLED FOR AN INJURY TIMEOUT TO TREAT HIS BACK.

3rd set:  The third set of this match was an epic.  The only match that seemed to come to mind was the Nadal/Fed Wimbledon final. (of course that match was still better)  Murray could have packed it in about 60 times in this match, but showed he wanted this match bad, and got it.  Say what you want about Federer showing no emotion, or being only a front runner, or not a huge heart.  Fed saved 7 match points in the third before finally giving in to Murray's relentless play.  Roger looked tired, sick, and hurt...and did something we're not always used to seeing from him: he played his absolute heart out.  Looking back, he will have no regrets, and tried as hard as he possibly could throughout the match.  Murray on the other hand showed that his mental toughness is no longer an issue, he is a rock on the court.  

The final outcome leaves the semifinal stage set and the highly unlikely Simon reaches the semis of his debut Master's Cup.  Fed goes home, and puts an end to the most disappointing year in a while for him.  

In a slightly less dramatic match Simon beat Stepanek 1 and 4 in a boring match.  

So we now go into the semis, and it's time for the last section of grades.  

Fed: A+ One of the best ever.

Murray: A++ Looks like he's going to be threatening for #1 very soon.

Novak: C Should have watched how Murray played the third set and hid his head after his tank against Tsonga.

Davydenko: B+ Dark Horse.

Tsonga: B Gave the crowd one more cheer for the year.

Del Potro: C- Just not quite ready for the big big boys yet.

Simon: A He is simply overachieving.  

Semifinal action is tomorrow.  

Novak/Simon and Murray/Davydenko....see you tomorrow.