Lexus Surbiton Trophy: Andy Murray overcame Jordan Thompson, the defending Lexus Surbiton Trophy winner, in a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory.
Former Wimbledon winner Murray, who has a wildcard entry into next week’s Rothesay Open Nottingham, appeared to be in charge of the match as he went into a 3-0 lead thanks to a beautiful backhand volley.
However, Australian Thompson rallied to take advantage of Murray’s unforced errors, break back, and eventually tie the match at 3-3. Once Thompson was serving to remain in the set, Thompson finally prevailed after fending off a comeback and holding a 40-15 lead. Murray then held to love.
Murray came under more strain during a crucial hold at 6-5, and Thompson then held to love to force a tie-break. In the tie-break, the Scot established an early lead with a mini-break of 2-0, then pushed ahead by 4-1 before Thompson broke back to equal the score at 4-4 following a protracted rally.
Murray continued to give himself a hard time as he had in previous encounters, which helped create a set point at 6-5 when Thompson came back into the net and Murray took advantage by blasting down an ace.
During the second set’s opening game, there was a flashpoint. Thompson grew furious after a call of ‘out’ from the crowd, which was overturned by the chair umpire, and play continued as Murray took the point.
As the players sat beneath umbrellas during a brief rain break, the Australian repeated his protests to umpire Robert Balmforth. Murray ultimately pushed home the break and enjoyed a 2-0 lead when play began, with a warning to the audience against more similar outbursts.
Murray broke to go up 4-1 in the fifth game when Thompson sunk another return into the net – and the Australian was subsequently warned for ball abuse as his anger spilled over again.
Murray was on the verge of victory after a love service game, but Thompson broke in the eighth game. Murray, on the other hand, ultimately got the job done when he converted a third match point opportunity to book a spot in Sunday’s final against either Austrian Jurij Rodionov or Belgian Zizou Bergs.
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