Andy Murray advanced to the Wimbledon Men's Singles Semifinals after suffering a scare against the Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco. Down 2 sets to love, Murray roared back with an outstanding performance.
It was the seventh time in his career that Murray won a match after trailing two sets to nothing. Murray's swagger peaked after the 11th game in the fifth set, after breaking Verdasco. Murray won four straight points in the 12th game and the crowd immediately roared as they saw a return from Verdasco go long.
Credit has to be given to the unseeded Verdasco, who forced the No. 2 seed to work hard.
Verdasco had his forehand working throughout the match. It looked as though Verdasco would eventually run out of steam, but that was not the case. Aided by Murray's unforced errors, Verdasco was able to take the early advantage as Murray could not hold serve in the 10th game of the first set.
It was an omen of bad things to come in Murray's future. Up 3-1 in the second set, it looked as if Murray was well on his way to tie the match. However, Verdasco held his serve in Game 5 and proceeded to break Murray's serve in Game 6 to tie the second set at 3-3. Before Murray could organize his thoughts and formulate a gameplan, Verdasco had won three more games to take the set 6-3.
Murray yelled at himself during the switch and came out strong, depending on his serve to set the tone. Murray truly looked like the Men's Singles No. 2 player as he roared to a quick 3-0 start, not letting Verdasco's struggles go unpunished this time. Murray did everything right. He played the net, ran the baseline and picked up four aces to win the set easily, 6-1.
Verdasco came out firing in the fourth set. He looked composed and rejuvenated after the break. If anything, Murray looked uncomfortable as he almost fell behind 0-2 in the fourth set. Verdasco had the edge 30-40, but Murray, once again, had his serve working. Later in the second game, Verdasco had the advantage yet again after a deuce, but Murray served his way out of trouble.
With the score tied 3-3 and Verdasco serving, Murray finally broke the Spaniard despite being down 30-40. Murray took the 4-3 advantage, now only two games from tying the match at two sets a piece. Murray held his serve and quickly took the game, winning four straight points. Verdasco held his serve in the ninth game, preventing Murray from easily taking the set.
Murray closed out the fourth set with two aces, a long return from Verdasco and a smash to tie the match at two sets a piece. Neither player wanted to give in at the end, but Murray took advantage of Verdasco's miscues and the Scot prevailed to continue his chase for the elusive title at the All England Club.
He now faces Jerzy Janowicz in the Men's Singles Semifinals.
