Andy Murray got through the semifinals at the Battle of the Brits Tournament with a 6-3 7-5 win over James Ward at the National Tennis Centre in Rohempton. Murray is playing his first tournament since November after being sidelined by a pelvic injury.
Murray won the two longest games on Ward’s serve. The two-time Wimbledon champion went down a 2-4 lead, but he broke back to draw level before earning a second break to take a 6-5 lead. Murray earned three match points with a overhead before closing out the match with a forehand down the line.
After losing his second match in three sets to Kyle Edmund, Murray needed a win to advance to the semifinals.
“It was a very tough match. I felt a little bit but it did not affect my movement. When I played in November at the Davis Cup, my hip was sore and I was struggling to move. I felt I moved the best I had done in the three matches so that’s positive. I am delighted I have a rest day tomorrow as I am very tired. It’s unbelievably hot conditions and because there is no air conditioning allowed it’s pretty hot everywhere which is quite draining. I know it’s not the worst situation to be in but usually if you are playing a match you will find a cold space to go to and build up to the match and dropping your body temperature. There is no air conditioning allowed. It’s pretty hot everywhere and it’s quite draining”, said Murray.
Murray set up a semifinal against British number 1 Dan Evans, who cruised past Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-3 with early breaks in both sets.
In the doubles tournament organizer Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski beat Dan Evans and Lloyd Glasspool 6-3 3-6 10-7. Joe Salisbury and Jonny O’Mara beat Kyle Edmund and James Ward 6-2 5-7 10-5 to advance as group winners.
