Andy Murray beat Davis Cup teammate Kyle Edmund and David Ferrer dispatched German youngster Alexander Zverev as experience won out over youth in the China Open quarter-finals on Friday.
The three-time Grand Slam champion was forced into a tense 20-point tie break in the first set by his 21-year-old compatriot, finally clinching it with a forehand passing shot.
But Edmund -- who upset 18th-ranked Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round -- was unable to hold his serve in the second, conceding the match 7-6 (11/9), 6-2.
Zverev, 19, was looking to cap a breakout season with a second title in Beijing, but was unable to capitalise on his first set lead as he was overpowered by Ferrer 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 7-5.
The German upset the Swiss world number three Stan Wawrinka to win his maiden ATP title at St. Petersburg in September, having downed number nine Tomas Berdych in the semis.
In Beijing he beat 10th-ranked Austrian Dominic Thiem in the first round, making him the first teenager to defeat three top 10 players in a row since Boris Becker in 1986.
Despite the loss, Zverev -- who started the year ranked 83 -- is expected to rise to 21 when the new rankings are released Monday as he edges towards a place in the top 20 for the first time.
{{/usCountry}}Despite the loss, Zverev -- who started the year ranked 83 -- is expected to rise to 21 when the new rankings are released Monday as he edges towards a place in the top 20 for the first time.
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