By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, January 26, 2016

 

Andy Murray battled past David Ferrer for the sixth consecutive time to reach the Australian Open semifinals.

Photo Source: Corleve

Andy Murray and David Ferrer locked horns in an engaging, competitive and watchable battle on Wednesday night in Melbourne with the Scot emerging victorious for his sixth straight win over Ferrer, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3.

More: Konta Makes History for Great Britain in Melbourne

Murray reaches his sixth Australian Open semifinal and will face either Milos Raonic or Gael Monfils in the semis.

With Great Britain’s Johanna Konta also reaching the semifinal on the women’s side, this year’s tournament marks the first time a British man and woman has reached the semis in the same year since 1977 at a major.

Murray’s brother Jamie is also into the semifinals in men’s doubles, making it a trifecta for Great Britain.

After dropping a hard-fought second set in a tiebreaker to Ferrer, Murray rallied for a break and a 3-1 lead in set three before weather intervened. Though there was no rain on the court, officials elected to close the roof due to lightning and thunder in the area. After a nine-minute delay Murray had to work himself out of trouble in the next game, saving two break points before holding for a 4-1 lead.

Another break would send Murray coasting into set four and he would take an early 2-0 lead before Ferrer quickly broke back and held to level at two-all.

Though the pair engaged in many long, physical rallies, Murray was able to squeeze more out of his first serve on this night. He out-aced Ferrer 11-0 and won 76 percent of his first-serve points to just 62 percent for Ferrer.

Murray would break critically in the sixth game of the fourth set to lead 4-2, and hold his serve the rest of the way.

“It was a good match. It was a lot of rallies. It was tough.,” Ferrer said. “I made him serve to win the match. I'm happy with my tournament, my game. It was okay.”