Roger Federer set up a rerun of his U.S. Open final against Andy Murray by dispatching rising Argentine Juan Martin del Potro 6-3 6-3 in the Madrid Masters quarter-finals on Friday.
World number two Federer aggressively picked off the 20-year-old's second serves, breaking his rhythm and forcing him into errors.
Murray showed why he could be among those to challenge the established order at the top of the rankings by playing one of his best matches of the season to outclass Gael Monfils of France 6-2 6-2.
The 21-year-old Briton was a bundle of energy and showed little sign of the discomfort in the knee that had troubled him the day before.
Murray said he was better prepared to face Federer than he had been for his straight-sets defeat in New York in September.
'Playing against Federer is always a great challenge. I've played well against him in the past, apart from at the U.S. Open. I'll definitely be much more relaxed tomorrow,' he said.
Former world number one Federer said: 'He (Murray) is a good tactician and will have a proper game plan. I will have my hands full.'
The fourth-ranked Murray swapped early breaks but soon started to make Monfils hurry and broke twice more to take the first set.
However, it was not until midway through the second set the match burst into life.
Murray scampered after everything Monfils threw at him, sent a pair of delicate lobs over his 6-foot-4 opponent and at one point flashed a crosscourt winner that left the athletic Frenchman sprawled on the ground.
At 4-1 down Monfils hung his head in disbelief as his opponent reached a smash and blasted a winner down the line before breaking to love.
The Frenchman later double faulted to gift Murray victory.
