TENNIS ATP VALENCIA – Andy Murray and David Ferrer continue to march towards a possible semifinal clash, their third in the last month. The British player defeated Fognini 6-2, 6-4 whilst the first seed eliminated fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-2.
Andy Murray’s bid to qualify for the ATP Finals in London is still on track after he defeated Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-4. With this win the Scot has booked his place in the quarterfinals where he will face Kevin Anderson who benefitted from a Walk Over after Martin Klizan withdrew before the match. Murray won his match easily against the Italian who never seemed to be convinced he could trouble the Olympic Champion. The first set was settled by two breaks in the first and third games helped by three double faults by Fognini. The first set ended 6-2. In the second the match was less one-sided for the first four games, but in the fifth Murray broke serve for a third time in the match. Fognini never gave any sign that he was ready to fight back allowing the world number 10 to reach the quarterfinals. Murray has won 15 of his last 17 matches. This run started at he Shenzhen Open that he won ending a 15 month title drought. The Scot then lost to Djokovic in the Beijing semifinals and then to Ferrer in the Shanghai third round. Murray then took his revenge on Ferrer by beating him in the final of last week’s Vienna tournament.
A possible third meeting between Murray and Ferrer in just a few weeks is likely in the semifinals. The first seed won his second round match against Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-2.
Anderson was not the only player to benefit from a Walk Over today as Roberto Bautista Agut withdrew before his match against Tomas Bellucci due to abdominal pain. Pablo Andujar will play against Tommy Robredo in an all spanish quarterfinal. Andujar dismissed the Serb Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-2 whilst Robredo won 6-2, 6-4 against Lu. Alexander Dolgopolov defeated Jeremy Chardy 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 and will face Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarterfinals.
