Thursday, March 1, 2012

Murray into semis at Dubai Championships after win over Berdych


Murray into semis at Dubai Championships after win over Berdych

Andy Murray beat Tomas Berdych 6-3 7-5 in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Murray appeared to be cruising at one set up and 2-0 ahead in the second, but Berdych broke back for 2-2 and got back into the match.

The Scott broke again but Berdych leveled once again at 3-3.

Murray broke once more, playing a forehand cross-court shot from wide of the tramlines that Berdych had no reply to for a 6-5 lead.

The world number 4 wasted six match points on serve. The first three were with backhands that found the net and a fourth with an errant forehand drive. He eventually triumphed after Berdych played a long forehand.

The match ended in controversy as Berdych argued at length with the umpire over a Hawkeye decision when he had earned a point to break back for 6-6.

Murray's appeal to the computer replay showed that the line judge's call of fault had been wrong and that his unreturned serve had in fact been in.

But when the umpire awarded the point to Murray, Berdych claimed the rally should have been replayed.

The Czech argued that the line judge's call had interfered with his return of serve, but TV replays showed that the call came after Berdych had hit the ball, and that the umpire's decision was correct.

"I managed to stay tough at the end," said Murray.

"But he played well and I was getting a bit nervous. I think I was doing (my game plan) well until I got up in the second set.

"Then I was getting away from the baseline too much," he said, referring to the fact that he had retreated to deep defensive positions which had allowed Berdych more time."

In the semifinal, Murray will face the winner of the match between Novak Djokovic and Janko Tipsarevic.

"I hope I play Novak again," he added, referring to their classic match in Australia. "But I'll be ready whoever it is."