ATP Masters 1000, Miami: Murray Sees Off Cilic Challenge, Into Semis

By Ros Satar

Andy Murray [2] def. Marin Cilic [9] 6-4, 6-3

World no. 3, Andy Murray, booked his place in the semi-final in a match which saw some amazing rallies and winners.

Murray led their H2H 7-1 – the only defeat coming in the 2009 US Open (R16), and Cilic took the first set off him at the US Open last year (QF).

It was important for Murray to get off to a good start, and it certainly started promisingly, building up 3 break points, all saved by Cilic.

A further break point went begging, for the Croat to hang on to his serve.

Cilic needed just the one break point on Murray’s serve, in the next to go up 2-0.

Murray found himself 3 break points up again before the first change of ends, and this time managed to break back to bring things back on serve.

The pair traded breaks in the next two games, with the only hold coming in the first game of the match.

Half an hour into the match, Murray held his own serve.

Murray got the breakthrough on the Cilic serve finally, edging ahead 5-4, and serving out on his first set point.

Forehand errors were mounting up for Cilic, and things started badly for him in the second set, with Murray breaking.

Even in gruelling fourth game lasting just over 15 minutes, Murray needed 21 points to win and Cilic could not get the breakthrough, despite some great tennis from both players.

As Murray served from the set, Cilic punched down winners, including one at the end of a thrilling 32 shot rally, before denying Murray the match.

Murray finally booked his place after another grinding game, finally converting his seventh match point.

Even though it will read as a straight sets victory, the score line does not do some of the quality of tennis we saw justice.

Murray will face either Richard Gasquet or Tomas Berdych in the semi-final.

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