Andy Murray breezed into the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Matthew Ebden of Australia.
Australian no match for Briton in Shanghai
Andy Murray breezed into the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Matthew Ebden of Australia.
The Scot, taking his recent tally to 23 wins in 24 matches, remained on course to collect his third title in as many weeks with victory in an hour and 25 minutes.
Murray broke twice to take the first set and quickly took charge in the next with the world number 124 unable to pressurize the defending champion's serve.
He successfully averted Ebden's sole break point in the match at 4-2 before moving to match point in the next, taking advantage to put away a short ball and book a semi-final date with Kei Nishikori of Japan.
Tentative
"Sometimes it happens in matches where you don't necessarily feel that comfortable," said Murray. "It's the first time I've played outdoors and it's changed the conditions a lot - I felt a little tentative.
"I served very well for the most part, I didn't give him many opportunities on my serve and created a lot of chances on his so I can't be too disappointed.
"I think if I was a little bit looser I could have got a few more breaks."
Regarding a semi-final clash with Nishikori, Murray added: "Tough match - it's the best tournament of his life. He was a little nervous earlier in the week but he's playing with a lot of confidence now.
"He had a great win against Tsonga and it will definitely be a tough match."
Nishikori broke once in the first set and three times in the second against Alexandre Dolgopolov, withstanding nine aces from the Ukrainian and saving six of seven break points as he won 6-4 6-3.
US-based Nishikori said it was special to reach his first Masters semi-final in Asia.
"I feel like home here. It means a lot to play semis here.... I'm really excited now," said Nishikori, who shocked fourth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga earlier in the week.
Mini-breaks
David Ferrer will take on fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in the second semi-final after the pair gained contrasting wins on Friday.
Ferrer required a final set tie-breaker to overcome American Andy Roddick 6-7 6-2 6-7, while Lopez eased past Rafa Nadal's conqueror Florian Mayer 6-2 6-4.
After a first set that went with serve, Roddick drew first blood when he clinched the tie-break but the third seed hit back strongly in the second set to break the big-serving American twice.
Tenth seed Roddick was match point down in the 10th game of the deciding set but kept his nerve to level at 5-5 and force a tie-break.
It initially went with serve but Ferrer secured two crucial mini-breaks and sealed the win after more than two-and-a-half hours.
"I feel confident. This is very important because some moments I didn't play really well. This tournament, you know, in important moments I served really well," said Ferrer, whose victory means he is the fifth player to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Lopez had an easier time with Mayer, who struggled to replicate the stunning tennis he produced against former world number one Nadal 24 hours earlier.
But the big-serving left-hander knows he is going to have to raise his game further when he comes up against Ferrer.
"David is a top player right now, so I know it's going to be tough to beat
him," he said. "He's a fighter. He's very fast. He's one of the best returners in the game right now, so I know it's going to be a difficult match.
