In the men’s bracket of the Western & Southern Open Saturday, Andy Murray beat Milo Raonic 6-3, 6-3, also overcoming a brief rain delay in the first set. “That’s helped keep the matches shorter”.
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The British No 1, who won his 600th ATP Tour match on Thursday, secured a straight sets win over the Australian, although it was not as easy as the scoreline might suggest. Obviously today didn’t go how I would have wanted but I congratulate Marin on his first Masters Series title. I didn’t feel too exhausted yesterday in the evening. A third match point arrived after a forehand victor by Murray, but this time, the top seed was determined to close the match and so he did when he hit a volley victor to book his spot in the final.
Murray posted a 6-3, 6-3 over the Canadian to set up a final with the victor from Grigor Dimitrov and 12th seed Marin Cilic.
The 25-year-old finished with 32 winners, while Thiem, with four 2016 titles, managed only 10 winners and failed on two break point chances.
“I’m not going to be fresh”, Murray said.
Murray continued where he left off in the second set, converting the second of two break-point opportunities to move 3-2 clear, thanks to a delightful backhand down the line.
The 4-6 5-7 loss brought to an end a 22-game run – the longest undefeated stretch of the Scot’s career – and was Murray’s first reverse since the French Open final in June.
Murray said that his mentality is in a good place just now, and added:”So I’m looking forward to NY for sure”.
It was a surprising result, and not just because Murray was the No. 1 seed and the second-ranked player in the world. She won eight of the next nine points to take the first set, then pulled ahead 4-0 in the second set, pumping her right arm in celebration as the games piled up.
Murray got into some snippish exchanges with the chair umpire over his use of the microphone, but in the end it was Cilic who made the biggest noise, rifling a backhand victor to end the match.
“I went to sleep around 4am and woke up a little bit before 11am”, he said.
Kerber could overhaul Serena Williams if she wins the title tomorrow.
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Murray has been on a tear this season, winning grass titles at Queen’s and Wimbledon before triumphing a week ago over Juan Martin del Potro at the Olympic final.
