Andy Murray able to overcome poor serving

Published on Saturday 31 July 2010 14:09

SCOTS tennis ace Andy Murray battled against his serve as well as Alejandro Falla, but claimed a 7-6 (7/3) 6-1 win to reach the semi-finals of the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles.

Top seed Murray's first-serve percentage was just 42 per cent for the match and an incredible 38 per cent for the second set, but he met an opponent who struggled as much as he did.

And, after battling through a tough opening set, the second, despite his service struggles, was far simpler as Murray, without a coach after he split with Miles Maclagan this week, sealed a last-four clash with Feliciano Lopez.

The first set went with serve until Murray made the most of the first break-point opportunity of the match to go 3-2 up, but he could not consolidate as Falla levelled immediately at 3-3.

Murray created two break points in game seven but could not convert, then Falla did likewise before Murray battled back to hold for 4-4.

Murray led 40-15 as he served to stay in the set in game 10, but Falla won three points in a row to create a break point before the Scot eventually held.

Falla again knocked on the door in game 12, but Murray took the set into a tie-break.

The Scot was cruising as he won the first three points, but Falla fought back to 3-3.

Finally Murray stamped his authority on the match, though, winning four points in a row to take the set.

The pair exchanged breaks at the start of the second set, but from there on in it was all Murray.

He won five games in a row to end Falla's resistance as the Colombian failed to take advantage of Murray's below-par delivery.