Classy Murray books final place

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:18

The world number four had a poor career record against the Croatian heading into the semi-final but he barely broke sweat in a 6-1 6-2 hammering.

In a 61-minute victory which embodied his rapid improvement over the last year, Murray set up a final against either top seed Rafael Nadal or Gael Monfils..

After opening the encounter with a routine hold, the British number one moved his opponent all over the court to claim three break points, and a fine service return to Ancic’s feet on the second of those clinched the game and a 2-0 lead.

Murray fired down a nonchalant ace to consolidate the break to love before Ancic finally got on the board in the fourth game.

A blistering cross-court backhand brought up two more break points for the Scot in the sixth, and he took the second when the former world number seven looped a forehand long after a lengthy rally.

That left Murray to serve for the set and another wayward Ancic forehand, this time into the net, handed it to him 6-1 in just 25 minutes.

Yet another break followed in the first game of the second set when Ancic erred with a forehand wide of the tramline and out of nowhere the Croatian then earned a first break opportunity, but Murray simply upped his game to hold – sealing it with another timely ace.

Ancic was utterly dejected and his afternoon hit a new low in the third game when he hit a simple smash into the bottom of the net on the first of three break points against him – handing Murray a 3-0 advantage and a double break.

The world number 28 did claim break points in the sixth but it was a mere stay of execution, as Murray clinched victory with a snappy forehand up the line.

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