Murray beats Edmund, makes China Open semi-finals
World number two Andy Murray overcame fellow Briton Kyle Edmund 7-6
(11-9) 6-2 to make the China Open semi-finals.
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Andy Murray’s previous best result at the China Open was a
run to the semi-finals in 2014 BBC |
Murray, 29, came through an even first set via a tie-break, but found
himself a break down early in the second.
But Edmund, who will rise into the top 50 after beating Spaniard
Roberto Bautista Agut to make the least eight, then lost three straight
service games to allow his compatriot through.
Murray will face Spain's David Ferrer in the last four.
It was a heartening performance from Edmund, who hung tough with
Murray in the first set despite failing to win a single point off the
Scot's first serve.
The 21-year-old Yorkshireman, who was ranked outside the top 100 in
February, was edged out in the tie-break and then ran out of steam after
a promising start to the second.
Murray has lost just once in 11 Tour level meetings with other
Britons, going down in straight sets to Tim Henman in Bangkok in
September 2006. He beat Edmund at the Aegon Championships quarter-finals
at Queen's earlier this year in their only previous meeting.
The other semi-final will see Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov play
Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic of Canada.
Dimitrov ended the challenge of Spanish second seed Rafael Nadal in
the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-4 victory.
It is the first time Dimitrov has beaten the 14-time Grand Slam
champion and he is aiming to reach his third final of the year.
Raonic advanced after a 6-4 6-4 win over Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. |
