Murray battles past Ferrer at Aus Open

Omnisports

January 27, 2016 11:08 AM

Andy Murray continued his charge at the Australian Open, booking his place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought four-set win over David Ferrer.

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The British second seed was challenged in some gruelling rallies before closing out a 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-3 win against Ferrer in their quarter-final on Rod Laver Arena.

Murray grew into the contest and the closure of the court's roof during the third set helped his cause.

The two-time grand slam champion still had 64 unforced errors during the three hours, 20 minutes, but was good enough to advance to a sixth semi-final in Melbourne and 18th overall at majors.

Murray, a four-time Australian Open runner-up, faces either Milos Raonic or Gael Monfils in the last four.

For eighth seed Ferrer, he was simply unable to match it with Murray for long enough despite some brutal points, as he missed out on a seventh grand slam semi and first since 2013.

Murray was gifted his first break as both players put their extraordinary defence to the test, before needing to dig himself out of a hole in the ninth game – three big first serves and a crunching forehand winner seeing him take the first set in 45 minutes.

Ferrer gave up a 4-1 lead in the second set but Murray was left to rue missing a chance to take a 5-4 lead, and then had an injury worry as he clutched at his hamstring after an easy miss.

Murray's serve helped him save a set point in the 10th game, but a leaping backhand volley well wide saw him fall behind in the tie-break, one which Ferrer took and included points of 27 and 31 shots.

Murray broke for 3-1 in the third before a delay as the Rod Laver Arena roof was closed as storms closed in on Melbourne.

The delay initially seemed to impact Murray, but he did not take long to adjust as he went up two sets to one.

While the duo traded breaks early in the fourth set, Murray went 4-2 up to take control before grinding out his win.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Murray [2] bt Ferrer [8] 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-3

ACES

Murray - 11

Ferrer - 0

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Murray - 49/64

Ferrer - 23/54

BREAK POINTS WON