I NEED A MIRACLE -- FED

Top seed Roger Federer was left hoping for "a miracle" on Wednesday after being laid low by illness as he struggled to stay in the hunt for the Masters Cup title.

Despite beating first alternate Radek Stepanek 7-6 6-4 in the Red Group on Wednesday, the world number two's defeat by Gilles Simon on Monday means he must now beat in-form Andy Murray to avoid an end to his quest for a fifth Masters Cup.

World number four Murray, who has a 3-2 career advantage over Federer, has enjoyed his best year on the circuit and although he has already qualified for the last four the Briton said he would be going all out for a win on Friday.

"I guess I got really lucky my match was scheduled late today and then Radek was not playing with his own racket, so that made it a little bit more lucky," the Swiss player told reporters.

"At the end of the day I still have a chance. I hope with a day of recovery I'll make a miracle happen here and get through to the semis."