Andy Murray reached the semi-final of Wimbledon for the fourth year in succession courtesy of a 6-7 7-6 6-4 7-6 win over David Ferrer this evening.
The Great British number one struggled to find his rhythm during the early exchanges as he made a string of unforced errors. Ferrer capitalised by breaking Murray's serve to open up a 3-1 advantage.
The Spaniard then had the chance to wrap up the set when he was serving at 5-4. However, Murray claimed his first break of the match to level up the score as the set eventually headed into a tie-break.
Murray had chances to take the initiative during the breaker, but Ferrer's speed around the court proved to be the deciding factor in the end when he forced Murray to hit into the net for a 7-5 success.
Both players held their opening four service games of the second set. It was Murray who gave up his service game first, which handed Ferrer the chance to serve for the set at 5-4. Once again Murray responded with a break of his own, which in turn took the match into another breaker.
The pair both had set points in the breaker, but a deep backhand from Murray forced Ferrer to find the net to give the Scot an 8-6 triumph.
With the match now level at one set apiece, both players were able to produce solid form on their serves. Murray had just one break in the entire set, which he took to open up a 5-4 lead. The world number four then served to love, including a game-point ace to wrap up the third set.
Neither player was able to break in the fourth set, with Murray in particular spurning a couple of opportunities. Just like in the first and third sets, a tie-break was needed to determine a winner.
Murray broke early to take a 1-0 lead, but Ferrer soon restored parity at two points apiece.
Another break of serve went Murray's way to make the score 5-4 in his favour. That left him serving for the match, which he succeeded in doing with a winning forehand stroke and an ace.
He will now face France Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the final.
Liam Apicella
