Aix-en-Provence Challenger: Andy Murray beats Luca van Assche in straight sets to reach semi-finals

Andy Murray’s clay-court restoration continued as he defeated Luca van Assche 6-2 7-6(6) to achieve the semi-finals of the Aix-en-Provence Challenger.

The Scot will face Harold Mayor or Alexander Bublik subsequent as he rebuilds confidence and type forward of Roland Garros within the wake of a shaky begin to the clay season.

Murray cruised by way of a assured opening set earlier than recovering from going through two set factors to edge a second set tie-break.

Tennis

Murray survives mid-match wobble to achieve Aix-en-Provence quarter-finals

A DAY AGO

It was a 3rd victory in a row for the 35-year-old, who additionally defeated Gael Monfils and Laurent Lokoli in France, however his first in opposition to a top-100 opponent as he took down the world No. 86.

Wild card Murray, seeded fifth, suffered heavy defeats within the first spherical at Monte Carlo and the Madrid Open, however he’s now one match away from going through world No. 17 Tommy Paul or David Goffin for the Aix-en-Provence title.

Murray had a wobbly begin as he was pressured to save lots of a break level within the opening recreation, however he quickly settled and took management in recreation six.

Again-to-back double faults from Van Assche handed the Scot his first break level of the match on a plate and he seized it to punish the teenager.

The Murray serve held agency and he pounced once more on set level for his second break, Van Assche sticking a backhand within the internet to spherical off a assured opener for the previous world No. 1.

Murray ended the primary set with 88% of first serve factors received and having saved the one break level he confronted and brought the 2 probabilities he had in a medical show.

However that onerous work was undone instantly within the opening recreation of the second when the 35-year-old coughed up two break factors and, regardless of saving the primary with a backhand winner, an unforced error handed Van Assche an early sniff of a comeback.

The Scot’s response was robust although, as he instantly broke again, pulling his opponent across the courtroom with a drop shot and lob to power the error on break level and stage issues up.

Murray roared with frustration when Van Assche hit a winner to save lots of a break level later within the set, whereas the Frenchman confirmed nice composure to save lots of two match factors and maintain whereas serving at 4-5 down, each squandered by the Scot by way of unforced errors.

A wayward Murray backhand obtained him off to a foul begin within the tie-break, however he recovered to edge himself right into a 4-2 lead by the swap of ends.

However the three-time main winner was visibly annoyed by his errors as he surrendered 4 consecutive factors together with a double fault to seek out himself going through two set factors.

Murray dug deep to save lots of each, the second with an ace, earlier than an angled forehand proved unreturnable for Van Assche and handed the Scot a 3rd match level. This time he made no mistake, Murray bellowing in delight because the 18-year-old’s return flew lengthy.

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