VALENCIA (Spain) Top seed Andy Murray gave Spaniard Albert Montanes a 6-4, 6-2 mauling in the quarter-finals of the Valencia Open on Friday as the Briton continued his comeback from a wrist injury.
The world number four, who before this week had not played on the ATP tour since September’s US Open, dropped a set against little-known Argentine Leonardo Mayer in Thursday’s second-round but looked back on top form against Montanes, ranked 34.
He broke serve four times on the way to winning the first set and opening a 4-0 lead in the second and wrapped up the match with a forehand winner.
“My wrist is still giving me some pain but I am feeling better every day,” Murray said at a news conference at the Spanish hardcourt event. “I played well today and tomorrow I hope to improve even more.”
The Scot will play Fernando Verdasco in Saturday’s semi-finals after the Spanish fourth seed nailed a slew of crashing winners to brush aside compatriot and seventh seed Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-2.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Roddick have all qualified for the Nov. 22-29 season-ending event and Davydenko holds seventh spot and Verdasco eighth.
Reuters
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