Sharapova was pushed to three sets for the third straight match in Stuttgart and missed a chance to serve out the match in the ninth game after taking a 5-3 lead.

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Sharapova needed two attempts to serve out the match before setting up a clash with Patty Schnyder.

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But Federer regained his composure in the the third and broke serve in the sixth game before closing out the match on a Coria double-fault.

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Federer finally put the German out of his misery with a blistering serve on his first match point to move to within one victory of his ninth title of the year.

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Murray was then in position to serve out for the win, and closed out the match in a shade under two-and-a-quarter hours.

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But serve it out he did, as Murray sent a tired forehand long on match point.

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Nadal created the first break point of the match in the third game but Daniel pulled out a big serve to see off the threat.

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In the second set, Clijsters gained an early break, saw off a break point in the fifth game to hold for a 4-1 lead, and she fought back from 0-40 down to serve out the match.

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That gave him a 5-3 lead and although Mathieu reduced the deficit, Parmar was able to serve out for the match.

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