SURBITON/STARNBERG, June 3, 2022
Andy Murray has booked his spot in the semi-finals of the LTA Surbiton Trophy. In front of a sell-out crowd on Friday, the top seed of ATP Challenger Tour 125 grass-court tournament beat fifth-seeded US-American Brandon Nakashima in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(1) in one hour and 37 minutes. The windy weather made conditions tricky but the former World No. 1 was able to adapt his game and stay focused in the tie-break.
“I thought I competed well, it’s not easy out there, it’s very windy today. The court is playing quick, it’s low bouncing, but I served well in the important moments and I played a really good in the tie-break again and didn’t give him too many opportunities,” said Murray.
Murray will next take on No. 7 seed Denis Kudla from the United States, who edged past Australian qualifier Max Purcell in one hour and 28 minutes.
“He likes playing on the grass, he’s made the fourth round of Wimbledon before, I think he’s won some of these Challengers before over the years, he likes a lower bouncing court, he’s very experienced,” said Murray of his upcoming opponent.
In the bottom half of the draw, Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen continued his fine run of form this week in England by reaching his first semi-final at Challenger level. The 20-year-old World No. 375 rallied past local wild card entry Ryan Peniston 6-7(1), 6-3, 7-6(6) after two hours and 12 minutes.
Up next for Virtanen will be No. 8 seed Jordan Thompson, who emerged victorious from the all-Australian affair with Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 15 minutes.
”I thought I played pretty well actually throughout the whole match,” said Peniston. “Otto was just serving really really well so it was tough to get anything on his service games but yeah, I’m pleased with how I competed and yeah just tough to take the loss.”
Surbiton Trophy Results
