Andy Murray makes it through to first grass singles final since winning Wimbledon in 2016 after defeating Australian Nick Kyrgios; it was a milestone win for the Scot as he reaches a 70th career final and his 10th on grass, where he has an almost flawless record of 8-1 in finals
Sunday 12 June 2022 06:59, UK
Andy Murray made it through to his first grass-court final in six years after defeating Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 in Stuttgart on Saturday.
Murray, who claimed his first victory over a top-five player for more than five years by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals, continued his stunning run in Germany by demonstrating his prowess on grass in defeating Australian Kyrgios.
"It has been a long time since the last final [on grass]. A lot of ups and downs, but I kept going and kept working and finally managed to get to another one," Murray said in his on-court interview after he improved his record on grass to 114-23. "I am proud of the effort I have put in.
"I was just a little more solid in the tie-break. I asked the questions. On these courts, when it is playing quick, the set often comes down to one or two points and I was a little more secure at the end of the first set."
Kyrgios received a game penalty and refused to continue playing during the second set, sitting in his chair until the supervisor came out and convinced him to finish the match.
The Australian later said that he had retaliated after hearing a racial slur.
"When is this going to stop? Dealing with racial slurs from the crowd?" he wrote on Instagram.
"When I retaliate to the crowd, I get penalised. This is messed up."
Murray will be aiming to clinch a ninth career title on grass when he takes on Matteo Berrettini in Sunday's final after the Italian edged Germany's Oscar Otte 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-5) to reach his first tour-level final of the season.
"I am really happy. Arriving at the tournament, that was the goal [to reach the final]," Berrettini said. "From thinking about it and actually making it is a big difference. I am happy I am here and have another chance to play another final after months without playing and after the first big surgery in my career.
"This means this is my level and I have proved once again I am comfortable at this level and on this surface. I really like it here at Stuttgart."
Murray, currently the world No 68, will move up to No 47 in the ATP Live Rankings following his victory over Kyrgios.
The three-time Grand Slam winner also reached the championship match in Sydney in January, with his last tour-level title coming in 2019 in Antwerp.
British No 2 Dan Evans is through to the final of the Nottingham Open after winning his semi-final against Jack Sock in straight sets.
Evans had to work for a 7-5 6-3 victory against his American opponent, saving five break points out of seven.
The 32-year-old top seed, who won the Nottingham title in 2019, is yet to concede a set in this year's tournament.
Evans will now take on Australia's Jordan Thompson, who swept aside compatriot Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-2 in the other semi-final.
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