Wimbledon.com’s highlights from the seventh day of action at The Queen’s Club in west London...
Early doors
In Pursuit of a fourth Queen’s Club final, British No.1 Andy Murray had to resume his semi-final against Viktor Troicki on Sunday morning.
Their duel was halted by a storm last night and play re-started at 3-3 in the first set.
Eager to gain an instant advantage, the three-time champion was quick out the blocks to break for 4-3 with a delicate drop shot and exquisite lob.
Having rattled through a service game, Murray dragged Troicki around the court to bring up another break point, which was conceded by an erratic double fault, and raced to a 6-3 lead.
The world No.25 surged back into contention at 2-2, breaking with some smart approaches to the net. However the Scot was far from deterred and wrestled back the initiative to force a tie-break.
A cannonball backhand winner set the tone before two errors gave Troicki hope at 4-4. Murray teased a brace of errors from the Serb for two match points. A lung-busting rally ensued which Murray displayed immense retrieval skills to twice chase down a lob to prevail 6-3, 7-6(4).
“I think it was a good, quality match. I had chances, had my chances in the second. I was break up. I should have used it. But Andy is a great player on the grass. Maybe that's his favourite surface. He moves unbelievable, defends great,” said Troicki as Murray scuttled off to the locker room to prepare for the final.
“There were a lot of great points and I think the match was good. I was a bit unlucky to lose that set, but I'm happy the way I played during the week. Looking forward to Wimbledon.”
Odd success
So with just two hours to recuperate for the final, Murray returned to a sun-baked Centre court on the brink of history, with only Kevin Anderson in his path.
The world No.3’s trio of titles at the Aegon Championships have all come on odd years; 2009, 2011 and 2013. Could he continue the pattern in his 50th career final?
The South African was also chasing a 200th win of his career and a maiden grass court title.
The opening exchanges promised a tight contest but Murray sent a blitzing cross court backhand winner to replicate his form earlier in the day, breaking to lead 3-1 after Anderson netted a routine smash.
A selection of deft drop shots and a rasping forehand pass sent Murray 4-1 in just 17 minutes.
His solid serving and pin point accuracy was making the British No.1 look comfortable, taking on a player in such magnificent form.
Murray completed an exemplary set 6-3, constantly keeping his towering opponent off balance in 28 minutes of faultless tennis.
Anderson got the ball rolling in the second set and the pair were both willing to approach the net to curtail the rallies.
The scores were tied until 2-2 when Murray upped his intensity and ferocity to catch the lines with a barrage of shots. Anderson was pulled to all corners as another Murray textbook lob provided the pivotal break for 3-2.
Anderson was desperate to press onto the front foot but couldn’t derail a confident and composed Murray who served out the match with consummate ease 6-4.
"I didn't feel like I played my best tennis today, but I think that's a lot to do with the way Andy played,” said Anderson.
“It's definitely been a great week. I have played some great tennis, beaten some tough opponents along the way.”
The victory, a 34th Tour title for Murray, is an historic win to join an elite group of players to have won a quartet of titles at the Queen’s Club alongside John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick.
"I played better as the week went on and hopefully I can continue that into Wimbledon," said Murray who has an impressive 20-1 record in his last five tournaments.
"I tried to play each point and come up with some great shots. I had to play that way if I wanted to win today."
The world No.3 is adamant he is a better player than the one who triumphed at Wimbledon in 2013: “Everything moves on. If you don't continue to improve and get better, there is going to be people that will take your spot.
"So I feel like I have improved. Physically I'm definitely in a better place than I was then. Obviously I was having problems with my back around that time.
“And, yeah, I feel like I'm using my variety very well just now, something that maybe I wasn't the last couple of years. That's been good for me.”
Murray will now head to SW19 to see if he can recapture the title: “I need to go out there and earn it. I need to train well the next five, six days, prepare as well as I can. It's great preparation. It's a great start to my preparation on the grass. It gives me that little bit of confidence going in there."
Stat of the day
Having won The Championships in 2013, we all know Murray is an accomplished grass court player. The British No.1 is now 28-2 on the grass since July 2012.
