R FEDERER (Swi) v I LJUBICIC (Cro)

6-3 2-6 7-6

Game-by-game updates:

Federer 6-3 2-6 7-6 Ljubicic
Ljubicic loses the first point of the tie-break on his own serve and Federer hits an ace to go 3-0 ahead. But Ljubicic hits back with an ace of his own to recover to 2-3, and recovers the mini break to get to 3-4 as Federer pushes a forehand long. The Croat then draws level at 4-4 but misses with a backhand down the line, and Federer wins the last two points on serve to clinch victory.

Federer 6-3 2-6 6-6 Ljubicic
Federer starts off with a forehand cross-court winner but Ljubicic scrambles brilliantly to go 30-15 up, only for Federer to pull out three first serves to force a tie-break.

Federer 6-3 2-6 5-6 Ljubicic
Ljubicic ensures himself of at least a tie-break as he backs up his break with a solid service game to edge ahead.

Federer 6-3 2-6 5-5 Ljubicic
Federer earns another match point but Ljubicic saves it and hits back to create two break points, converting the second to send the match towards a thrilling finale.

Federer 6-3 2-6 5-4 Ljubicic
Ljubicic saves two match points to force Federer to serve for the match. The Croat had been 15-40 down before producing a fine backhand winner and then a service winner to stay in the hunt.

Federer 6-3 2-6 5-3 Ljubicic
Federer is dominant on his own serve again now, reeling off a second love game as he closes in on victory.

Federer 6-3 2-6 4-3 Ljubicic
Ljubicic stays alive with a batttling service game as Federer laments a poor line call against him.

Federer 6-3 2-6 4-2 Ljubicic
The momentum appears to have taken a decisive turn as Federer romps through a love service game to move within two games of victory.

Federer 6-3 2-6 3-2 Ljubicic
Federer cranks up the pressure to earn an early 0-30 lead, only for Ljubicic to level at 30-30. But the Croat pushes a forehand long to hand Federer a break point, and promptly gifts him the game with a double fault.

Federer 6-3 2-6 2-2 Ljubicic
Federer draws level with another relatively trouble-free service game, but he needs to come up with some answers on the Ljubicic serve.

Federer 6-3 2-6 1-2 Ljubicic
Federer is making inroads on the Ljubicic serve but is unable to finish off the points. The Croat adds to the pressure on the favourite by edging ahead again.

Federer 6-3 2-6 1-1 Ljubicic
The world number one appears to have regained his composure as he holds serve with little trouble.

Federer 6-3 2-6 0-1 Ljubicic
Federer shows signs of recovery to go 30-15 ahead on the Ljubicic serve, but the Croat's first serve again holds up well to maintain his momentum.

Second set:

Federer 6-3 2-6 Ljubicic
Federer's form plummets as he slips 0-40 down to concede three set points. He saves the first one but Ljubicic converts the second to ensure he will serve first in the deciding set.

Federer 6-3 2-5 Ljubicic
The Croat shows no sign of letting up with the second set in sight, hitting several winners to continue his comeback.

Federer 6-3 2-4 Ljubicic
Federer ensures he will not give up the set without a fight, regaining his composure with a solid service game.

Federer 6-3 1-4 Ljubicic
Federer goes for a backhand pass at 30-30 but Ljubicic reads it with a delicate stop volley and serves out the game to take a commanding lead.

Federer 6-3 1-3 Ljubicic
Ljubicic glimpses a chance as Federer puts two forehands long to give him a break point. Another surprising unforced error from the Swiss gives Ljubicic his opening in the match.

Federer 6-3 1-2 Ljubicic
Two double faults threaten to derail Ljubicic but a strong backhand in a fierce rally sees the Croat prevail to retain his edge in the set.

Federer 6-3 1-1 Ljubicic
The contrast between the two players on serve is again apparent with Ljubicic still struggling to make any impression on the world number one.

Federer 6-3 0-1 Ljubicic
Ljubicic is again forced to save two break points but a fortunate line call and a superb drop shot help the Croat to hold serve at the start of the second set.

First set:

Federer 6-3 Ljubicic
Ljubicic wins two points on the Federer serve for only the second time in the set, but a strong first serve at 30-30 and a Ljubicic backhand into the net sees the favourite take the opening set.

Federer 5-3 Ljubicic
Ljubicic again shows character to hit back from 15-30 down to hold his serve and stay alive in the set, temporarily at least.

Federer 5-2 Ljubicic
The world number one is in prime form now as he makes light work of another service game.

Federer 4-2 Ljubicic
Ljubicic ends a run of nine consecutive lost points with an ace at 0-30, and fights back to deuce after Federer earns another break point. Federer wins a sparkling rally to earn another, but Ljubicic responds well to hold serve.

Federer 4-1 Ljubicic
Federer wastes no time cementing his advantage, breezing through his service game to take a potentially decisive lead in the set.

Federer 3-1 Ljubicic
Federer again puts pressure on the Ljubicic serve, taking him to deuce, and earns his reward with a classic forehand winner from the back of the court to claim the early break.

Federer 2-1 Ljubicic
Ljubicic has started well but Federer ups his game with a top-spin backhand winner down the line and comfortably holds serve for the loss of just one point.

Federer 1-1 Ljubicic
Ljubicic, who opened the event with victory over Guillermo Coria, hits several winners from the back of the court but is taken to a series of deuces. But Federer misses two backhands to allow the Croat to level.

Federer 1-0 Ljubicic
Federer, aiming for a third straight Masters Cup title, is looking for a second win of the tournament after beating David Nalbandian in his opening match, and holds serve in the opening game.