Murrayculous Murray thunders into semis with a win over Nick Kyrgios
Andy Murray reached his 5th Australian Open semi final in 6 years after easing past Aussie hopeful Nick Kyrgios in 3 sets 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Fast Start
The Brit began the match in fine fashion breaking the Kyrgios serve at 3-2 and then consolidating the break by holding comfortably. Although Murray did have a couple of set points on Kyrgios’ next service game, the 19-year old was able to stave it off and ensure the Brit serve it out which he did, silencing the crowd in the process.
The second set began in the same manner with Murray pressurizing the young Aussie into a string of unforced errors. But Kyrgios held his nerve and saving a break point in his second service game seemed to spur him on. The set proceeded on serve with Murray in complete control of his service games, dropping just 3 points on serve in the entire set.
The tie break began with another Kyrgios unforced error giving Murray the mini break, but he surrendered it almost immediately. At 4-4, Murray produced an astonishing forehand lob winner to obtain another mini break which he again surrendered by serving his first and only double fault of the match, though he was still able to win the next point ensuring he had a set point at 6-5. Another sublime lob, this time off the backhand wing and Murray was in command with a 2 sets to love lead with Kyrgios looking on in disbelief.
Kyrgios had fought back from a 2 sets to love lead in his previous match against Andreas Seppi, but this was a mountain too high to climb. The Brit was using all his experience and wide range of strokes to ensure the Aussie just could not settle into the match.
Cruise Control
The three-time Australian Open runner-up looked to have the match in the bag when he broke for 4-2 in the third set, but the Australian wasn’t done yet and managed to secure his first break point of the match which was duly saved by the Brit. Kyrgios made no mistake on the second time of asking though and a weak backhand into the net by Murray gave Kyrgios his first break of serve which drew a huge roar from the 15000 spectators in Rod Laver Arena. That would be as good as it got though as Murray hit back immediatey with a third consecutive break of serve ensuring he had a chance to serve out the match which he managed with ease.
Murray’s 13 aces coupled with 35 winners and only 28 unforced errors meant that Kyrgios simply could not get a foothold in the match throughout and although the Aussie did serve well , his 38 unforced errors gave him no chance at all.
Post match talk
Speaking after the match, Murray told reporters "It was a tricky match, pretty windy conditions so it was tough for both of us and I tried to start as quickly as possible because I know how dangerous Nick is.
“I've seen his matches unfold in the last 18 months, so I wasn't going to underestimate him at all.”
The Brit next faces Czech Tomas Berdych who pulled off one of the upsets of the tournament, thrashing Rafael Nadal in straight sets.