Andy Murray’s bid for that coveted first Roland Garros title is still very much alive after defeating Kei Nishikori, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (0), 6-1, in the quarterfinals of the 2017 French Open. It was a gritty performance by the three-time Grand Slam champion who needed two hours and 39 minutes to oust the eighth-seeded Japanese. Wednesday’s showdown was basically a repeat of last year’s semifinal, which Murray also won in four sets.
Murray, who recorded his 21st match win of the season, blasted 31 winners and won 74 percent of his first serve points against Nishikori. What proved to be the difference in the match, however, was the Brit’s sizzling return. Murray won 45 percent of his receiving points against Nishikori with the world no. 1 converting seven of his 12 break point opportunities.
Next up for Murray is a mouth-watering semifinal clash with Stan Wawrinka. Murray, who is through to the semis of the French Open for the fourth consecutive year, has already faced Wawrinka 17 times in his storied career. Murray leads their head-to-head matchup, 10-7, with the Scotsman winning each of their last two encounters. One of those meetings came at Roland Garros last year with Murray beating Wawrinka in four tough sets, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
Andy Murray may be the world no. 1 but Stan Wawrinka will arrive in this showdown as the clear-cut favorite. He’s playing some excellent tennis at the moment, winning each of his last nine matches on clay. His latest victim was Marin Cilic, with Wawrinka destroying the Croatian in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
Playing in front of a partisan crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Wawrinka displayed the aggressiveness that made him one of the most feared players in the men’s game. He laid to waste Cilic’s monster serve, winning 50 percent of his receiving points on Wednesday. Wawrinka took full advantage of that fact, converting six of his nine break point chances en route to a convincing 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 triumph.
With the victory, the Swiss star is through to his third straight French Open semifinal, marking the first time he’s achieved this at a Grand Slam tournament. Wawrinka has now also reached three consecutive Grand Slam semifinals for the first time in his illustrious career. He has achieved this feat by not dropping a single set in this tournament. With the way he’s playing right now, it isn’t far-fetched to see Wawrinka reach the French Open final for the second time in the last three years.
Writer’s Prediction
Wawrinka (-140) edges past Murray in a five-set thriller.
