DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Kapwa nabalahibuan sina top-seeded Andy Murray at defending champion Novak Djokovic bago nailusot ang panalo tungo sa Final Four ng Qatar Open nitong Huwebes (Biyernes sa Manila).
Nanganilangan ng mas mahabang hangin sa dibdib si Murray para magapi ang No.44 na si Nicolas Almagro ng Spain 7-6 (4), 7-5 sa kanilang duwelo sa quarterfinals na tumagal nang dalawang oras at siyam na minuto.
“It was a very tough match,” pahayag ni Murray, naghabol sa 1-3 sa first set at nabitiwan ang 2-1 bentahe tangan ang service break sa second set.
“Nico was playing very aggressive and going for his shots. It was hard conditions tonight, very windy, so tough to get into much of a rhythm.”
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Dumaan din sa matandang kawikaan na butas ng karayom si Murray bago napatalsik si Gerald Melzer, 7-6 (6), 7-5, nitong Miyerkules.
“The first week of the year there’s a little bit of nerves,” pahayag ni Murray. “You want to make sure you get some matches with Australia (Australian Open) just around the corner.”
Tangan ni Murray, two-time Qatar Open winner, ang 27-match winning streak.
Makakaharap niya sa semifinals si third-seeded Tomas Berdych, nagwagi kontra No.5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 6-3, habang magkakasubukan sina Djokovic at Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, namayani kay sixth-seeded Ivo Karlovic ng Croatia 6-2, 7-5.
