Andy Murray is through to the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
ANDY MURRAY clinched a semi-final place at the O2 with a brilliant win over Stan Wawrinka.
Murray’s clinching of a tight first set was enough to guarantee him a last-four spot and put the Swiss out of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
Andy Murray will play Milos Raonic or Novak Djokovic on SaturdayAP:Associated Press
And by winning 6-4 6-2 the Wimbledon champion made sure he would top his group and so face Milos Raonic rather than Novak Djokovic in tomorrow’s semi final.
Just as importantly, Murray gained momentum going into a weekend which will determine whether he holds off Djokovic’s bid to regain the No 1 world ranking before the end of the year.
Murray said: “The first set was tight, there wasn’t really many chances either way.
“I managed to get the break late in the set.
Who’s a happy boy…Murray is in to Saturday’s finalReutersBut it was agony for poor Stan WawrinkaReuters
“In the second set, I had already qualified so it was a bit easier for me to play freer.”
The clash with Raonic will give the Canadian a chance to avenge his defeats by Murray in the finals at Queen’s and at Wimbledon.
The Scot said: “He has played very well so far in this event.
“The conditions are quick here so it will be tough because he has a huge serve.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
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Wawrinka needed to win in straight sets to maintain his record of reaching the last four on every appearance at the O2.
The Swiss came out all guns blazing, hitting winner after winner and ace after ace in a storm which Murray did well to weather.
But it was the Brit who fashioned the crucial break, with a little help from the netcord.
Murray had been putting the Wawrinka serve under pressure and deserved to have the first opportunity to move ahead. He was on top in the rally, but the netcord checked his backhand approach and his opponent could not return the volley which followed.
Andy Murray showed exactly why he has become world No1Getty ImagesBut for Wawrinka it was the end of the roadAP:Associated Press
The world No 3 struck the court with his racket in frustration and Murray closed out the set.
With nothing left to play for but pride, Wawrinka’s head understandably went down a little.
And when he fell a double break behind in the second set, again with the help of the netcord, he smashed his racket and then snapped it over his knee.
Murray’s opponent received a code violation for his trouble.
But this was more of a warning to Raonic and Djokovic that he will be very hard to dislodge from the No 1 ranking.
Murray's brother Jamie and partner Bruno Soares are one win away from being 2016’s best doubles pair.
The elder Murray brother and Brazilian Soares beat Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo 6-3 3-6 10-6 to clinch a place in Saturday’s semi finals.
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