World number two Andy Murray battled into his first final at the China Open, beating David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3 in a brutal test. The Brit will face off against Grigor Dimitrov for his 40th ATP World Tour Title, as Milos Raonic has withdrawn due to an ankle injury.

Grueling baseline exchanges were always going to be the main feature of this match as two of the best baseliners on the tour faced off. After holding on in a marathon game, Ferrer got an early break to take the lead. The lead didn't last long as Murray dominated on return to take the next five games and the set. The second set was much of the same as Murray just had the edge over everything Ferrer threw at him. After an exchange of breaks, Murray got another and that was enough to take him to victory.  

Battle of the baseliners 

Both men held in their first service game of the match, but Murray had a far easier time doing so. Ferrer battled through a grueling 15-minute marathon, finally managing to hold on his eighth game point. Their incredible baseline abilities meant that there were already plenty of long rallies and amazing displays of turning defense into offense. The Spaniard then raced to 0-40 in Murray's next service game. The Brit was clearly frustrated about not taking his chances in the previous game and although managing to save one break point, Ferrer got the break on the next point to lead 2-1.  

Murray broke straight back after a string of errors from Ferrer, taking his first break-point with a passing shot down the line to go back on serve. Murray battled his way back from 0-30 to 30-30, but Ferrer still managed to carve himself out another break point with a perfectly placed drop shot as Murray was left stranded at the baseline. Murray still managed to fight through the hold and go back ahead at 3-2. 

Murray in action during the semi-final (Photo by Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images)
Murray in action during the semi-final (Photo by Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images)

A crunching backhand cross court from Murray followed by two double faults from Ferrer gave the Brit three more break points. The Spaniard managed to fight back to 30-40 but a backhand just drifted long to give Murray the break. The top seed consolidated easily to claim his fourth game in a row and go 5-2 ahead. 

Murray kept his momentum rolling and broke Ferrer again as he was serving to stay in the set, taking his second set point to clinch the 6-2 set in 49 minutes. Ferrer only winning 28 percent of second serve points was the killer, as Murray dominated on return. 

Test of endurance 

The pair opened the second set with a hold of serve each. Ferrer tried to be aggressive on the return as Murray served in the first game, but Murray soaked up the pressure and held on. Ferrer wasn't able to be aggressive on return in the next game as the Brit sailed through his service game, beating the Spaniard for pace as he bullied him around the court. 

Murray's outrageous defense with the help of some loose shots from Ferrer gave the number one seed a break to love and a 3-1 lead in the second set. Just as Murray looked to be cruising through the second set, Ferrer upped his game and broke back after a couple of brutal rallies. Ferrer struggled in his next game on serve. More brutal baseline rallies left both players looking tired but Murray still had the edge on return and fought through to lead again.  

Murray stretches for a return (Photo by Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images)
Murray stretches for a return (Photo by Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images)

This time, Murray held on to his lead and consolidated the break to go a game away from the final. Murray had opportunities to break for the match at 0-30 but Ferrer battled through and held to ask Murray to serve it out. The number one seed served out the match with ease to reach his ninth final of the year. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author