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French Open: Andy Murray beats Kei Nishikori to set up semis clash with Wawrinka
Andy Murray, who was the runner-up to Novak Djokovic at French Open last year, will meet 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka for a spot in Sunday’s final.
World number one Andy Murray advanced to his fifth French Open semi-final on Wednesday, defeating Japanese eighth seed Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1.
Murray, who was the runner-up to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros last year, will meet 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka for a spot in Sunday’s final.
(Read | French Open defending champion Novak Djokovic knocked out by Dominic Thiem)
Nishikori outdueled Murray in a five-set classic at last year’s US Open and looked capable of a repeat success as he rolled through the opening set.
But Murray responded by taking the second set with ease and stormed through a third-set tie-break before finishing off a tiring Nishikori to seal a fourth successive semi-final appearance in Paris.
(Read | Rafael Nadal into 10th French Open semi-final)
“I needed to start putting more pace on my shots, he was dictating all the points in the first set. It was windy, so the timing was difficult, but once I was able to get into a rhythm and keep him away from the baseline, that made the difference,” said Murray.
The Scot set up a semi-final rematch with third seed Wawrinka after beating the Swiss in four sets at the same stage of the tournament a year ago.
(Read | Rohan Bopanna-Gabriela Dabrowski enter French Open mixed doubles final)
“He’s played fantastic this tournament so far,” Murray said of the 32-year-old, the oldest Roland Garros semi-finalist since Jimmy Connors in 1985.
“Last year I had to play one of my best matches on clay to beat him. I know it will be tough but I’ll fight as hard as I can.
(Read | Karolina Pliskova to face Simona Halep in French Open semi-final)
“It hasn’t always been easy for me here, but these last few years have been great.”
Wawrinka thrashes Cilic
Former champion Stan Wawrinka became the oldest French Open semi-finalist in 32 years on Wednesday when he brushed aside Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
Swiss third seed Wawrinka, the 2015 title winner, has not lost a set on his way to a third successive semi-final in Paris.
The 32-year-old is the oldest man to make the last four at Roland Garros since Jimmy Connors in 1985.
“It was perfect today, I’m very satisfied,” said Wawrinka who will be playing in his third successive Roland Garros semi-final.
“I played well, was very solid and took my opportunities.”
Wawrinka, the reigning US Open champion, took his record over Croatian seventh seed Cilic to 12-2 with an eighth successive win over the 28-year-old.
Cilic is still to beat a top five player on clay.
