Murray Ends Kyrgios Run to Face Berdych in Semis

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Three-time runner-up Andy Murray edged closer to a fourth Australian Open decider Tuesday, but has surprise semi-finalist Tomas Berdych blocking his way.

The British sixth seed proved too experienced and disciplined for mercurial Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios, winning their night quarter-final in straight sets.

Czech seventh seed Berdych provided the day's stunning result by ending a demoralizing run of outs to dump a struggling Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the earlier last eight clash.

Berdych finally mastered the Spanish 14-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) in 2hr 13min.

Murray broke Australian hearts when he eliminated unseeded 19-year-old Kyrgios 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to take his record over Australian players to 11-0 before a partisan home crowd on Rod Laver Arena.

The Scot grabbed three service breaks and only conceded a service break deep in the final set to underline his dominance over the 53rd-ranked Kyrgios.

"It was a tricky match in windy conditions and I tried to start as quickly as possible because I know how dangerous Nick is," Murray said.

"Against Nick he is a huge hitter of the ball so I tried to keep it out of his strike zone as much as possible, but in the wind if you can use the slice and keep the ball low it is difficult to control."

The talented Kyrgios said he would learn from the experience.

"There are some things I can take from that match and get better at," he said. "He was just way too good for me."

Berdych's upset ended a record-equaling 17-match winning run Nadal had over the Czech, who claimed his second consecutive semi-final appearance in Melbourne after losing to Stan Wawrinka last year.

Only Bjorn Borg over Vitas Gerulaitis and Ivan Lendl against Tim Mayotte had chalked up 17-match head-to-head winning streaks on the ATP Tour.

Comments 0