Murray Beats Berdych, Wind to Reach US Open Finals

Andy Murray had to overcome extreme wind conditions and a tenacious opponent in Tomas Berdych to reach his second U.S. Open final of his career.

By Erik Gudris

Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych argue over a let call at the 2012 US Open

(September 8, 2012) -- Andy Murray had to overcome extreme wind conditions and a tenacious opponent to reach his second U.S. Open final of his career.

Taking on Tomas Berdych in the first men's semifinal, both players were forced to endure gusty conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium after severe storms moved through the New York city area. After both men traded early breaks, the wind became an issue when during one point, Murray's cap was blown off of his head while he hit what looked like a winning drop shot that Berdych almost got to. A testy exchange began between both players when the chair umpire ruled the point would have to be replayed after Berdych assured everyone he could have reached it.

The point was replayed and Murray lost it and that was enough for the Scot to banish his cap to the sidelines for the rest of the match. Berdych was able to hit through the conditions and secure a late break of serve that eventually gave him the prolonged first set 7-5.

With gusts sometimes reaching over 40 miles per hour, Murray settled down and broke Berdych at love to start the second set. Murray began hitting out more on his shots while Berdych at times struggled with his ball toss during his service games due to the extreme wind. Murray earned another break to go up 4-1 when Berdych sent a forehand wide and from there Murray closed out the set 6-2.

Berdych's woes continued in the third set as Murray won the first eight points to earn a 2-0 lead. Berdych, who hit 11 unforced errors in the set compared to only two for Murray, simply couldn't sustain any momentum as Murray broke him three times to take a two sets to one lead.

The fourth set was a lot closer though as Berdych stayed closed with Murray. Berdych serving to stay in the match at 4-5, came back from 15-30 down to hold for 5-all and eventually a tiebreak was needed. Berdych found his power game to leap out to a 5-2 lead but it was Murray on the strength of several backhand winners who pulled even at 5-all.

From there, Murray took control as Berdych, despite having one set point, sent several forehands long at key moments. Berdych fought off two match points, one with an ace, but it was a final errant forehand from the Czech that gave Murray a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(7) victory in just under four hours of play.

"These were the hardest conditions I've ever played in. And I'm from Scotland so that's saying something," Murray told CBS's Mary Joe Fernandez just after the match.

"Yeah, I think that our sport deserved to have some rule or if the conditions are like that that, you know, you don't play because of the rain," said Berdych afterwards on whether the match should have even been played given the conditions. "We play in Grand Slam in such a big tournament like this one, and especially missing the roof, it's something which should be at least to think about."

Murray, who will rise to No. 3 in the rankings on Monday, must now await the winner of the Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer match to be completed as it was suspended due to weather.

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)