Murray, Nishikori Continue On Road To London; Kvitova v Bouchard In Wuhan Final

by Staff | September 26th, 2014, 12:24 pm
  • 17 Comments

Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori improved their positions reaching the semifinals at their respective events in Shenzhen and Kuala Lumpur.

Murray, who’s currently down at 11th, beat Lukas Lacko 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Shenzhen semifinals where he’ll meet Juan Monaco, an upset winner over Richard Gasquet. The second semifinal pits Tommy Robredo against Santiago Giraldo.

Murray, who has never played Monaco, is seeking his first final since his 2013 Wimbledon triumph.


“I was a little bit frustrated at the start of the second set because I had chances to break and didn’t take them,” said Murray. “It allowed him to get back into the match. He started playing better, was creating some chances. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, when I have chances to get myself ahead, I can do that a bit better.

“I enjoy it when I’m over here in Asia. I’ve played some of my best tennis. The people are incredibly friendly. It’s a good place to be and the fans are extremely passionate.”

In Kuala Lumpur, Nishikori resumed his strong play reaching the semifinals after defeating Marinko Matosevic 6-3, 6-0. The US Open finalist will meet Finnish veteran Jarkko Nieminen. The other semifinal features Ernests Gulbis against Julien Benneteau who is still seeking his first career ATP title after holding a matchpoint in the 2013 final.

“I hope I can make the final again. We’ll see what happens tomorrow,” said Benneteau. “It will be difficult. But I will try to be back in the final again and play better.”

In Wuhan, after a week of upsets – just 4 of the Top 16 seeds made the quarterfinals – Petra Kvitova and Genie Bouchard will clash in a rematch of the Wimbledon rematch.

“It’s going to be nice to play Genie in the final, so we can have a repeat match of the final at Wimbledon,” said Kvitova who is a stellar 13-4 in WTA finals. “She’s a very good mover and plays very aggressively from the baseline – she takes the balls very early and returns very well. Those are some of the things she does great.

“My first practice here was with her, so it’s quite funny, and it’s always nice.”

The winner of the final will also clinch a berth into the Singapore Finals.

Bouchard, who has never beaten the Czech in two previous meetings, is enjoying her best week since that Wimbledon final run after beating Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-3.

“I think I played very aggressively, and it was all about trying to maintain it,” Bouchard said. “Of course I expected some resistance, and she definitely made me fight for every point, but I was happy with the way I was serving and stepping in and the way I kind of regathered by concentration.

“I feel like I played very, very well, maybe up there with Wimbledon, maybe better.”


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17 Comments for Murray, Nishikori Continue On Road To London; Kvitova v Bouchard In Wuhan Final

jane Says:

thanks for the update; guessing it’ll be andy/robredo in one final and kei/gulbis(?) in the other. both would be interesting for different reasons. sadly the timing makes it hard for me to watch.


andrea Says:

go genie!


Margot Says:

“Monaco has never played Monaco.” *eye roll*
The H2H is 2-2.


Margot Says:

Edit button where are you??????????
“Murray has never played Monaco.” *eye roll*
The H2H is 2-2


jane Says:

was right about robredo but wrong about gulbis, though i did add a question mark, knowing ernie… : /


the DA Says:

I haven’t seen Andy play this badly in ages. Lord knows how he stole that 2nd set,


Hippy Chick Says:

Happy Bennetaeu won as i cannot stand Gulbis sorry to those that do like him though,hope Kei also makes it through to meet him in the final,glad Andys finding his groove,even if hes not playing his best,go Andy….


the DA Says:

Well I don’t even know how to describe that match. Andy looked so out of it for a set and a half. Nothing was working apart from a few BHs…errors galore. Once he got the momentum at the end of the 2nd set everything clicked and he never looked back. Now that he’s reached his first final in 13 months it’s time for his fans to freak out! Robredo is a tough cookie and retrieves everything, often with interest.


Hippy Chick Says:

Well at least Andys back contesting finals again,something thats been a long time coming….


Hippy Chick Says:

Draws out for Beijing,Rafa plays Gasquet first round….


Hippy Chick Says:

^Hes also playing doubles with Andujar^….


jane Says:

couldn’t stay up for the 2nd matches but andy and kei made it. andy vs robredo could be a good one.


jane Says:

bejing draw is out

nole, andy, dimitrov, cilic, benneteau, popsicle, rosol on one side (1, 4, 5, and 6 seeds)

rafa, fognini, isner, gulbis, berdych on other side (2 ,3, 7 and 8 seeds)


django Says:

Nole got a good draw again. Not.


Hippy Chick Says:

IMO Both halfs look pretty loaded,well its Noles best part of the season,and Rafas worst,add to that he aint played for three months,so as a fan i wont be expecting too much,just to have him back will do for starters….


jane Says:

i would say it’s top heavy, with 3 us open/hard court slam champions.


Hippy Chick Says:

Jane yeah true lol never noticed that TBH forgot Cilic is now a GS champion too,but i still stand by the rest of my post….

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