By Erik Gudris | Friday, October 3, 2014
Novak Djokovic set up a must-see semifinal against familiar foe Andy Murray at the China Open.
Photo Credit: AP
Defending champion Novak Djokovic will seek to extend his recent unbeaten record at the China Open when he faces a familiar opponent next in Beijing.
That will be none other than Andy Murray who continues his own current win streak having just won his first title in over a year at Shenzhen last week.
"I've seen a little bit of his matches this week. He's hitting the ball very well," Djokovic said to ATP.com about his upcoming 22nd career meeting with Murray. "Every time I play him, it's a huge challenge. It's a very physical match. A lot of long rallies, exchanges. I do not expect anything less than that tomorrow."
Djokovic took on Grigor Dimitrov in their quarterfinal meeting. Though Dimitrov came up with some stylish and dramatic shotmaking, Djokovic often had the answer.
Down in the second set 2-5, Dimitrov saved two match points but ended up double faulting later as he tried to extend the set. With that, Djokovic celebrated the 6-2, 6-4 win and now improves to 22-0 at the event.
Murray himself had little trouble against new US Open champion Marin Cilic in their quarterfinal. Murray, winning 71 percent of his first serves, sealed the 6-1, 6-4 win in just over 90 minutes.
"I feel like I'm harder to beat just now than I was. At the beginning part of the year, I was quite up and down and inconsistent. But I'm starting to build some momentum, get that consistency back. That equals good wins against better opposition," Murray said later about his recent surge.
Tomas Berdych also reached the semifinals. The former event champion defeated his fellow doubles partner this week John Isner 6-1, 6-4.
(Photo Credit: AP)