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Murray, Raonic in semis
CINCINNATI: Andy Murray overcame post-Olympic fatigue by winning his 21st straight match to reach the semifinals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters with a 6-4, 6-4
CINCINNATI: Andy Murray overcame post-Olympic fatigue by winning his 21st straight match to reach the semifinals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Bernard Tomic on Friday.
Top seed Murray, running out of puff after claiming his second Olympic gold medal in Rio, grabbed his left hip in the opening game against Tomic, but soon settled in.
The world number two won his fifth match over the Australian and stands 32-1 since losing to Novak Djokovic in May in Madrid.
Murray next faces fourth seed Canadian Milos Raonic, who beat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4. The Scot leads the series 8-4, beating Raonic four times in 2016 including the Wimbledon final. Raonic advanced to his seventh semifinal of the season in 68 minutes.
KERBER STAYS ON COURSE FOR NO 1 SPOT
Olympic silver medallist Angelique Kerber stands just two wins away from the world number one spot after defeating Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 to reach the semifinals on Friday.
Kerber could overhaul long-time WTA number one Serena Williams if she wins the title on Sunday at the final major tune-up prior to the US Open. Williams pulled out of the tournament with an injury.
“It all feels amazing, I’m seeing all the hard work of the last few years paying off,” said Kerber, 28, who beat Williams in the final of the Australian Open but lost to her at the same stage at Wimbledon.
“This is a moment for which I’ve been dreaming — and now I’m living the dream.”
