Indian Wells, California  - Roger Federer suffered a fourth straight humiliation at the hands of Andy Murray on Saturday with the Scot running away with the third set to reach the final of the Indian Wells Masters 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

Federer has not beaten world number 3 Murray since the US Open final six months ago. In the interim, the Scot has won showdowns at Madrid, Shanghai, Doha and now in the Californian desert.

Murray will await the winner from 2007 champion Rafael Nadal and American Andy Roddick, who leads the ATP with victories this season on 23.

Federer admitted that his 46 unforced errors killed his chances. "I'm disappointed," said the 13-time Grand Slam winner, a three-time champion in the desert. "It was a decent tournament but not the best of all-time for me.

"I had hoped to to better today, but I have to look ahead to Miami now."

Federer now stands a dismal 2-6 against Murray, who took a heavy tumble in the fourth game of the final set. Federer went to make sure his opponent was okay and then did not win another game in a contest that ended after one-and-three-quarter hours.

Murray, champion in Doha and Rotterdam, improves to 20-2 in the season.

Federer got away to a good start as he forced Murray to love-30 in the Scot's first two service games. But the fourth seed slowly began to turn the tide in the decisive fourth game.

Down three break points, Murray stayed calm to salvage the trio and proceeded to earn the first break of the afternoon as he took a 3-2 lead after Federer's return hit the net cord and bounced out.

Murray seized the momentum with a love game concluded with an ace to advance to 5-3. Federer handed the set over at the half-hour mark as a slice backhand curled wide, 6-3 to Murray.

The Swiss kept his composure with a break to start the second set, but Murray got it back in the fourth game. Federer took the lead again with a cross-court winner and a re-break of the Scot, and levelled the match on the first of three set points with a reflex backhand winner to the baseline.

Federer was broken twice in the final set but saved three match points from Murray errors before going down. dpa