Reunited with former coach Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray defeated fifth-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday to enter the final at Queen’s Club, setting a title clash with Canada’s Milos Raonic, currently being coached by John McEnroe.
Murray is now just one win away from becoming the first five-time winner at Queen’s Club
Other four-time winners since the tournament was established in 1890 include McEnroe himself, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick.
Almost from the start, Murray berated himself and disputed several line calls but he was able to gain the upper hand.
Watched by Lendl, himself a two-time champion at Queen’s Club, Murray forced a forehand error to break for 2-1, fought off four break points in the next game and broke at love to take the opening set.
{{/usCountry}}Watched by Lendl, himself a two-time champion at Queen’s Club, Murray forced a forehand error to break for 2-1, fought off four break points in the next game and broke at love to take the opening set.
{{/usCountry}}Murray had to hold off a break point before holding for 2-1 in the second set but Cilic finally earned a break to lead 4-3. Murray’s frustration mounted as he failed to convert three break points in the next game and Cilic went on to level the match.
Murray finally managed to take control against the 2012 champion in the decider, sweeping to a 3-0 lead for the loss of just two points.
For the title, Murray will face third-seeded Raonic, who is being coached by McEnroe for the grasscourt season. The Canadian came through a 6-4, 6-4 winner over unseeded Australian Bernard Tomic in the other semifinal, thus setting a McEnroe vs Lendl clash of the coaches, formerly rivals themselves, for the title.