Andy Murray is a step closer to qualifying for the end of season ATP World Tour finals after reaching the semi-finals in Vienna following a straight sets win over Jan-Lennard Struff.
The World No11, who needs to finish the season inside the top eight to make the end-of-year showpiece in London next month, needed a little under 90 minutes to beat the German 6-2 7-5 last night.
The Scot changed his schedule, opting to play in the Vienna tournament for the first time in a bid to secure valuable rankings points following a disappointing defeat to David Ferrer in the third round of the Shanghai Masters last week.
The Briton sent down 10 aces and won 86 per cent of points on first serve and will face qualifier Viktor Troicki in the last four.
“I’ve played well against Troicki in the past. He’s a very good athlete, he moves extremely well, and has a big serve,” said Murray. “He always makes you work for matches. We have had some tough matches, close matches.”
Serbian Troicki defeated Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 7-6(4), 6-7(2), 6-2, needing two hours and 27 minutes – his third win in three matches against Belluci.
“I felt physically more prepared in the third set,” said Troicki. “I felt (Bellucci) was not 100 per cent, and I took that opportunity to play on the offensive. It worked out well.”
