By Niall Clarke
- Andy Murray defeats Gilles Muller 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4
- Will play Viktor Troicki in the semi-finals of the Aegon championships.
Andy Murray has to battle from a set down to defeat Gilles Muller in the quarter finals of the Aegon championships on Thursday.
The 28 year old- who had not lost to Muller in their two previous matches, fell behind early as he lost serve in the fourth game of the match.
Despite earning two break points in the following game, the Brit could not break the big serve of his opponent. The Luxembourgian had a chance of a double break in the following game, but he himself could not convert.
Murray failed to make a dent in the Muller service games for the rest of the set, and as a result the 31 year old was able to close it out 6-3.
The trend continued in the second, with Murray unable to muster any break point opportunities. Fortunately, the Brit held strong on his on serve which meant there was only one conclusion- A tiebreak.
With the crowd behind him and the motivation of knowing this was his last chance to salvage the match, Murray struck in the tiebreak. The Brit quickly got a double mini break, and raced to a 4-0 lead. Muller rescued one mini break, but Murray quickly restored his advantage before sealing it 7-2.
With momentum now on his side, the top seed took control and the lead early in the decider. With a better read on the Muller serve, Murray broke in the opening game of the final set.
The Brit had chances of a double break in his opponent’s next service game, but Muller was able to hang on and keep within a break of Murray.
Muller however could not muster anything on the Murray serve, and despite saving match point on his own serve, the world number three proved too strong in the end.
Murray took the first match point, and cemented a semi-final place at Queens Club on Saturday.
Despite the slow start, it was a good match from Murray who had to fight against a difficult opponent. The Brit did not face a break point after the first set, which is mightily impressive.
Murray will now face Viktor Troicki in the semi-finals on Saturday. The Serbian defeated John Isner in straight sets 7-6(5), 6-3.
Gilles Simon and Kevin Anderson will contest the other semi-final.