Murray v Nishikori Match Report

Andy Murray reached his fifth consecutive grand slam semi-final to set up a meeting with world number 1 Novak Djokovic, after a straight sets win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori. It was a solid performance from the British number 1, as he saw out the match against a resolute opponent in 2 hours 12 minutes with a score of 6-3 6-3 6-1.

Murray started the quickest after a comfortable hold put immediate pressure on his opponents serve, as he was rewarded with an early break. However Nishikori in a first-time slam quarter-final dug deep not allowing Murray the double break to take control of the match.But the Japanese player couldn’t take advantage of Murrays missed first serves,And the world number 4 had enough to seal the opening set in 55 minutes.

More inconsistent serving allowed both players to exchange breaks at the start of the second set. But a positive response from Murray provided another break of serve to regain control of the match. Murray finished the match with 44% of first serves but Nishikori couldn’t exploit this only converting 2 in 10 break points. Murray then wrapped up the second set was with an identical score line, as it was obvious Nishikori was beginning to tire.

In the final set Murray increased the level with aggressive play and blameless returning, as Nishikori looked out of ideas. The 3^rd set took no longer than 29 minutes, as Murray secured the match with a respectable performance. Murray later said “I didn't serve well but the returning was good" and he knows he will have to improve when he plays the defending champion Djokovic. 

Tomorrow two of the biggest names in tennis in Rodger Federer and Rafael Nadal go head to head in the first of the men’s semi-finals while in the women’s draw defending champion Kim Clijsters takes on 3^rd seed Victoria Azarenka.