By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, October 8, 2016
Top-seeded Andy Murray swept David Ferrero to set up a Beijing final against Grigor Dimitrov.
Photo credit: Reuters
Andy Murray continued his mastery of a friendly nemesis, while Grigor Dimitrov advanced to the Beijing final without striking a shot.
The top-seeded Murray dismissed friend and sometime practice partner David Ferrer, 6-2, 6-3, to reach his ninth final of the year at the China Open.
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The world No. 2 will play for his 40th career title tomorrow when he takes on Dimitrov, who booked his spot in the final when scheduled semifinal opponent Milos Raonic conceded a walkover due to an ankle injury.
"I felt like if I could find a way to get through the first couple of matches, I'd start to feel better and play better here," Murray said. "Thankfully that's been the case so far this week.
"Try and play another high-level match again tomorrow. But it's very positive leading into Shanghai, and hopefully I can finish the year strong."
The 34-year-old Spaniard broke first for a 2-1 lead, but Murray immediately answered breaking back at love to level.
The fifth-seeded Ferrer spit up successive double faults to give the world No. 2 three more break points in the sixth game. Targeting the Spaniard's two-handed backhand, Murray drew a backhand error to break for a 4-2 lead.
Murray, who won 13 of 18 points played on Ferrer's second serve in the opener, scored his third break to take a one-set lead after 48 minutes.
The Wimbledon champion broke for a 3-1 lead only to see Ferrer break back. Murray won three of the final four games sealing a 90-minute victory. Murray scored his seventh straight win over Ferrer seizing a 14-6 edge in their head-to-head series.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist will meet Dimitrov for the 11th time. Murray has won seven of their prior 10 meetings. Dimitrov defeated Murray, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-3, in Miami in March before Murray obliterated the Bulgarian in their US Open rematch last month.
"[Dimitrov] has been playing a lot better obviously the past few months," said Murray. "Obviously he's got high ambitions, I'm sure. The past few months, he's done well. He had obviously a very good win against Rafa yesterday. It will be a hard match."