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Andy Murray to face Novak Djokovic in semi-finals of China Open | Andy Murray to face Novak Djokovic in semi-finals of China Open |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Andy Murray advanced to a semi-final with Novak Djokovic, the world No1, on Saturday at the China Open after beating Marin Cilic in straight sets in Beijing. The Scot needed an hour and 38 minutes to see off the US Open champion 6-1, 6-4. | |
“It will be very good for me to get that match and see if I can make some improvements from the US Open,” said Murray. If I play like I did at the US Open, I’ll definitely give myself an opportunity.’’ | |
Murray goes into the match in fine form after making light work of the Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas on Thursday, before putting in a commanding display against Cilic. | Murray goes into the match in fine form after making light work of the Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas on Thursday, before putting in a commanding display against Cilic. |
The British No1 raced into a 4-1 lead in the opening set at the National Tennis Centre, as Cilic’s serve crumbled under the first signs of pressure. It briefly looked like being a nervy affair as both men held serve in the first two games, but Murray charged back from 40-15 down to break Cilic at the second time of asking. | |
Murray, the sixth seed, held serve again and then swatted Cilic aside to make it 4-1, before the Croatian finally exerted sustained pressure on Murray. He crafted two break points, but Murray saved both before forcing the fourth seed into serving to remain in the set. Faced with being broken for a third successive time Cilic wilted and Murray struck the first blow. | |
Cilic tightened up his serve in the second set as it became the close battle many had predicted. The pair produced high quality tennis as the set was tied at 4-4. | |
Murray finally found more cracks in Cilic’s serve to set up three match points after going 5-4 up. He squandered the first, but made no mistake with the second as Cilic slipped trying to return his sliced backhand, allowing Murray to clinch the win. | |
After hitting 17 winners against Cilic, Murray will feel that he is in better shape heading into the meeting with Djokovic, who beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4 in his quarter-final. | |
The pair have met twice since Murray’s memorable victory at Wimbledon in 2013, but with Djokovic winning both of them. “It’s always difficult against Novak,” said Murray. “His form here, he’s never lost, which is very impressive. | |