Murray storms into semi-finals
Andy Murray enjoyed an easier ride in the quarter-finals
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Wednesday, 01, Jul 2009 10:33
Great Britain's Andy Murray is into the semi-finals of the Wimbledon championships for the first time in his career after a straightforward victory over Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Murray put in an excellent all-round performance and rarely looked troubled after a jaded opening few games, as he broke Ferrero in the 12th game to take the first set.
Despite going a break down and 1-3 in the second he bounced back with five games in a row to take the second set 6-3 before a processional final set saw him through in simple fashion, 7-5 6-3 6-2.
With actress Kate Winslet watching from one of the posh seats, his defeat of 'the Mosquito' Ferrero lacked the titanic drama of his five-set quarter-final.
But the quality of the early rallies rightly suggested that this would prove to be a far superior match to the Federer v Karlovic contest which had preceded it on Centre Court.
That former French Open champ Ferrero was often adept at moving Murray around during long baseline duels was little surprise.
But he was also showing an ability to pick and choose the right time to volley that no supposed clay court specialist should possess.
Murray's hangdog expression as the match unfolded made it easy to forget that most of his serves were unreturnable, but eventually the pressure of serving to stay in the opening set for the second time proved too much for the Spaniard.
Three times Murray flashed aggressive cross-court winners to the same spot of chalk on the court during a game which Ferrero finally conceded with a double fault. First set to the Scot 7-5.
Brave shot selection turned to careless stroke choice as he spurned the advantage of kicking off the second set by dropping serve.
However, some finely-angled winners and a Ferrero double fault helped him restore parity in the sixth game.
They were not on level terms for long - Murray starting to dominate in all departments as he broke again for 5-3.
Never did he look more secure during the match than when serving out for 6-3 with a brace of aces.
The Brit had won 21 of the second set's last 22 points and the grunts from the tiring Ferrero were matched in volume by the racket noise Murray's hefty groundstrokes were generating as the third set progressed.
A superb Ferrero drop shot to save a break point at 2-2 was a reminder of just what a class act he has been over the years.
But it was the briefest of escapes, Murray setting a formidable pace as he achieved a double-break which his awesome first serve never looked like squandering.
Ferrero could not - simply was not allowed to - win another game and as the players shook hands at the net, his opponent can reflect on having had quite a week.
The drama of the late night roof-enclosed win on Monday has been followed by a clinical victory under the blazing heat of the sun today.
Friday and, hopefully, Sunday could be even better.
James Christie