By Nick Powell
Andy Murray put in a strong, controlled performance as he comfortably beat Tomas Berdych to set up a third Wimbledon final against Milos Raonic on Sunday.
Murray broke Berdych's first service game, but the set was locked at 3-3 as his Czech opponent immediately broke back.
Murray pulled through after winning the last three games of the set and then struck mid-way through the second.
He broke again to wrap it up and after breaking early in the third set, served out for a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory in a match that lasted less than two hours
Fantastic Start Blown Away By Berdych
Murray burst straight out of the blocks as he broke at the first time of asking. Berdych hit three unforced errors before a double fault gave him a brilliant start.
But Murray was suddenly at deuce having been 40-15 and after he whipped a forehand long Berdych was right back in the game.
Both players held serve with ease, and the set looked as if it would be heading for a tight finish.
Second break enough to give Murray lead
The tight start continued as Murray held for a 4-3 lead, but as fans slowly filtered into Wimbledon after taking a break following the five set thriller, it was the Scot who seemed more likely to break again.
And after the his Czech opponent sent two forehands long, the crowd began to get excited by the prospect of Murray breaking again.
Berdych saved the first but sent a forehand wide for the second and Murray served out for a one set to love lead.
Murray had played a tidy first set, making just one unforced error. In stark contrast Berdych had made 13, with many coming on his own service game, and it was ultimately his mistakes that had cost him the set.
Murray survives tight start to second set to take control
Berdych had made just 50% of his first serves in the first set but started strongly in the second, both players had held with relatively ease in the first four games of the set, but the Czech suddenly found himself in a somewhat of a hole.
From 40-0 up, more loose shots had seen him pegged back to deuce and Murray had two chances to break. Berdych dug in deep to hold however, and soon Murray found himself in trouble also.
The Scot was growing increasingly frustrated and had to save two break points of his own, but he managed to hold and put Berdych under pressure again. A dinked backhand half volley couldn't get over the net for the 2010 finalist, and Berdych headed for the chair a break down.
If errors had caused him trouble up to this point, it was brilliance from Murray to move two sets clear. He played a fine ninth game of the set to seal it with a double break, summed up by a brilliant forehand that earned him the game.
Briton reaches third final after simple third set
The semi-finalists exchanged games at the start of the third set. Berdych took Murray to deuce but once again errors cost him the chance, and a wide forehand would see him slip a break down again, Murray was closing in victory.
Berdych's miserable face after Murray lobbed him to move 4-1 clear summed it up for him, he just hadn't hit the heights that anyone had expected and was in big trouble. He kept Murray in touching distance, but the 2013 Champion served for a place in the final at 5-3 up. Berdych would need to find his first break since the third game of the match to have any hope.
And he couldn't hammering the ball into the net on consecutive points to miss out on a second final. He will ultimately rue the number of unforced errors and free points he gave Murray, with Murray being so strong on the big points and putting in an immensely professional performance.
Other than the early part of the opening two sets, Berdych rarely threatened. He had to play aggressively but at times he mis-judged his shot selection and positioning which are vital if you are to succeed playing agressively. Murray was impressive, and it will serve as good preparation for the final against Raonic on Sunday.
It will be a huge match for Murray, and an amazing opportunity. He will look to play on Raonic's inexperience by playing with aggression to make him nervous and use the support of the crowd. It is his first Grand Slam final match against a player ranked below him and will be a great chance to end his three year wait for a third slam title.
Andy Murray put in a strong, controlled performance as he comfortably beat Tomas Berdych to set up a third Wimbledon final against Milos Raonic on Sunday.
Murray broke Berdych's first service game, but the set was locked at 3-3 as his Czech opponent immediately broke back.
Murray pulled through after winning the last three games of the set and then struck mid-way through the second.
He broke again to wrap it up and after breaking early in the third set, served out for a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory in a match that lasted less than two hours
Fantastic Start Blown Away By Berdych
Murray burst straight out of the blocks as he broke at the first time of asking. Berdych hit three unforced errors before a double fault gave him a brilliant start.
But Murray was suddenly at deuce having been 40-15 and after he whipped a forehand long Berdych was right back in the game.
Both players held serve with ease, and the set looked as if it would be heading for a tight finish.
Murray looked highly frustrated after coughing up the early break
Second break enough to give Murray lead
The tight start continued as Murray held for a 4-3 lead, but as fans slowly filtered into Wimbledon after taking a break following the five set thriller, it was the Scot who seemed more likely to break again.
And after the his Czech opponent sent two forehands long, the crowd began to get excited by the prospect of Murray breaking again.
Berdych saved the first but sent a forehand wide for the second and Murray served out for a one set to love lead.
Murray had played a tidy first set, making just one unforced error. In stark contrast Berdych had made 13, with many coming on his own service game, and it was ultimately his mistakes that had cost him the set.
Murray wrapped up the first set in 36 minutes
Murray survives tight start to second set to take control
Berdych had made just 50% of his first serves in the first set but started strongly in the second, both players had held with relatively ease in the first four games of the set, but the Czech suddenly found himself in a somewhat of a hole.
From 40-0 up, more loose shots had seen him pegged back to deuce and Murray had two chances to break. Berdych dug in deep to hold however, and soon Murray found himself in trouble also.
The Scot was growing increasingly frustrated and had to save two break points of his own, but he managed to hold and put Berdych under pressure again. A dinked backhand half volley couldn't get over the net for the 2010 finalist, and Berdych headed for the chair a break down.
If errors had caused him trouble up to this point, it was brilliance from Murray to move two sets clear. He played a fine ninth game of the set to seal it with a double break, summed up by a brilliant forehand that earned him the game.
Murray was now in full control, having never lost a semi-final he has won two sets in
Briton reaches third final after simple third set
The semi-finalists exchanged games at the start of the third set. Berdych took Murray to deuce but once again errors cost him the chance, and a wide forehand would see him slip a break down again, Murray was closing in victory.
Berdych's miserable face after Murray lobbed him to move 4-1 clear summed it up for him, he just hadn't hit the heights that anyone had expected and was in big trouble. He kept Murray in touching distance, but the 2013 Champion served for a place in the final at 5-3 up. Berdych would need to find his first break since the third game of the match to have any hope.
And he couldn't hammering the ball into the net on consecutive points to miss out on a second final. He will ultimately rue the number of unforced errors and free points he gave Murray, with Murray being so strong on the big points and putting in an immensely professional performance.
Berdych made far too many errors to have any chance of competing against Murray
Other than the early part of the opening two sets, Berdych rarely threatened. He had to play aggressively but at times he mis-judged his shot selection and positioning which are vital if you are to succeed playing agressively. Murray was impressive, and it will serve as good preparation for the final against Raonic on Sunday.
It will be a huge match for Murray, and an amazing opportunity. He will look to play on Raonic's inexperience by playing with aggression to make him nervous and use the support of the crowd. It is his first Grand Slam final match against a player ranked below him and will be a great chance to end his three year wait for a third slam title.
Murray was on court for less than two hours in a win that was ultimately very comfortable
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