Miami Open: Tomas Berdych sets up semi-final clash with Andy Murray
It was easy sailing for the eighth seed Tomas Berdych in the quarter-final of the Miami Open against Juan Monaco of Argentina, as he wrapped up the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Berdych will meet 2013 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, who had to shake off a slightly sluggish start against Dominic Thiem, in the semi-final.
The first set saw both Berdych and Monaco drop serve early before the Czech prevailed to earn a crucial break to take a 5-3 lead before he served out the following game at love to take the first set.
The second set was interestingly poised at four games all, before Monaco was broken to hand Berdych a 5-4 lead. Berdych closed out the match with ease, serving out the last game at love to bring the curtains down on a 92-minute quarter-final.
“He (Juan Monaco) was playing really well,” said Berdych. “I managed to find situations, to create opportunities, and I executed them. I’m really pleased with that.”
"There were a couple of long, tough rallies. The conditions were not easy. So there were a couple of challenges I needed to face, but I managed them all and went through”, he added.
Given the form Berdych is in, the semi-final clash promises to be a mouth-watering contest.