Roger Federer was not at his best, but still was more than good enough against Marin Cilic as the world number one advanced to the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.
Federer defeated Cilic 6-3, 6-4 and will now meet Andy Murray in the last-four match, after the Brit fought past Radek Stepanek in straight sets.
Asked about his clash with Murray, Federer said: "Obviously this is a different situation. It's not a final, first of all. Secondly, it's not best of five. It's more of a sprint than a marathon really.
"It changes up a little bit. But then again, we're the same players. Obviously more has happened for him in the last three months than for me. He had the breakthrough victory, if you like to call it that way, at the Open. The Olympics was, too, to some degree. Some people still weren't happy with that. It's amazing to see him back it up at the Open.
"I assume he's very confident right now and probably playing with a little bit less pressure. Then again, that can go either way. It's been a long year for all of us.
"I'm looking forward to the match. It's always great playing the best players. Those are the kind of matches you want to try to win because that can obviously then move the rankings by a little bit, even though it doesn't matter so much if you stay within the top four.
Federer said he hadn't really thought about any particular tactics to employ against the world number three.
"At this point it's trying to give yourself a chance to win the title here. To come all this way to Shanghai, I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a tough match, good one. Tactics, I haven't thought a lot about it to be honest.
"Interesting ones. He's playing a bit more offensive now than the last couple years. That's changed up a bit. It's pretty quick out here. We'll see if the rallies are going to be long or short. From my side, I haven't decided yet how I'm going to play."
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