Abu Dhabi: Andy Murray hailed his ‘perfect’ start to the new year as he set up a mouthwatering Mubadala World Tennis Championship semi-final with Rafael Nadal on Friday after battling past Feliciano Lopez in three sets on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, Stanislas Wawrinka was similarly buoyant about the prospect of taking on world number one Novak Djokovic in Friday’s second semi-final after beating Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-2.
Murray overcame Lopez 7-6 (7-1), 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 30 minutes at Zayed Sports City’s Tennis Stadium, and said afterwards that he was glad of the gruelling workout.
“It was a fairly high-quality match and some of the games were pretty tough with some good rallies,” said the Scot, who won the inaugural Mubadala event in 2009.
Murray is guaranteed two matches even if he loses against Nadal, who is returning after two months out after having his appendix removed, with a third-fourth place play-off due to be held ahead of the final on Saturday.
“I now get to play another two matches, which is perfect for me, and I’m looking forward to testing myself against Rafa. I practised with Rafa yesterday and he was very intense as always.”
Murray said gusty winds had made for ‘tricky’ conditions in the beginning of Thursday’s match, but was full of praise for the ‘very nice court [at Zayed Sports City Tennis Stadium]’.
Lopez, who along with fellow Spaniard Almagro replaced the injured French pair of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils in the tournament, was not too downbeat with his defeat.
“For the first match of the year, it was quite a good effort,” said the Spaniard, who was once labelled ‘Deliciano’ by Murray’s mother Judy in reference to his swarthy good looks.
Wawrinka continued the positive mood by saying he was relishing the chance to take on ‘the best player in the world’ in Djokovic.
But can he repeat his magnificent 2014 – in which he won his maiden grand slam at the Australian Open in January and the Davis Cup with Switzerland in November?
“It’s a new year and a new beginning,” the 29-year-old said. “It was an amazing 2014 for me – just crazy.”
Limited tickets for day two and three of the event are still available at www.ticketmaster.ae, all Virgin Megastore outlets across the UAE, by calling 800 TM UAE (800 86 823) or at the box office at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City. Prices start from AED 150 for upper-bowl seating, with exclusive premier hospitality packages also available, including food and beverage offers, star player meet-and-greets and premier stadium seating.
For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com and www.facebook.com/mubadalaworldtennischampionship.
