Murray sinks familiar foe to reach Valencia final

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AndyMurray

Two-time grand slam champion Murray got the better of local favourite Ferrer 6-4 7-5 to give his prospects of qualifying for the ATP World Tour finals in London next month a huge boost.

Murray began the day eighth in the Race to London standings, one place ahead of Ferrer, with the top nine players assured of a place in light of Rafael Nadal’s decision to call time on his season on Saturday.

Victory over another Spaniard, Tommy Robredo, in Sunday’s final would lift Murray up to fifth place above Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic - already assured of a spot due to his US Open triumph - and Tomas Berdych.

Ferrer remains well positioned to book his own place at the showpiece but will be made to sweat after losing for the second time in three matches against Murray in as many weeks.

Murray was gifted success on his first break point as Ferrer double faulted and he only offered his opponent an opening on his own serve when closing out the first set.

There were further errors from Ferrer early in the second set, when he netted a forehand in the third game having battled back to deuce from 0-40.

But Murray suffered one of the lulls that has often plagued his efforts on Tour since back surgery last year and Ferrer squared up the set at 4-4.

The Scot found a timely second wind and converted the third break point offered at 5-5 before saving the same number in sealing the win.

Robredo came through a pair of contrasting tie-breaks to sink France's Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-2) and claim a 500th career win.

Both men claimed a break apiece ahead of Robredo edging ahead in a thrilling breaker that drew raucous noise from the stands.

Chardy prevailed as the sixth game of the second set touched seven minutes to go 4-2 up but Robredo produced an immaculate backhand passing shot to ensure it was back on serve at 4-5.

A sliced drop shot from the same wing saw him level from deuce for 5-5 and, after both players held their nerve to bring about another breaker, Robredo found another gear to seal a dominant finish.

Murray was victorious against Robredo in the Shenzhen Open final last month, saving five match points before prevailing in three sets.

Author(s)
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Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK.