Andy Murray is through to his first ATP final since February of 2017 after overcoming Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the semis of the European Open on Saturday afternoon. Murray won his second consecutive three-setter in two hours and 22 minutes, bringing his time on court in the last two matches to four hours and 57 minutes.
“I am obviously happy to be in the final,” said the 32-year-old Scot, who was plagued by hip trouble late in 2017, for all of 2018, and obviously again this season. “I did very well to turn that match around today. It was tough. He was playing huge from the back of the court…. It was tricky today but I am obviously happy to be back in a final.”
After a slow first set, Murray broke for 3-2 in the second only to give it right back for 3-3. The three-time major champion earned another break at 6-5, taking a 0-40 lead and capitalizing on his third set point to force a decider. Breaks at 1-0 and 5-2 in the third were more than enough for Murray to wrap up the proceedings in style.
Next up for the world No. 243 is familiar foe Stan Wawrinka, who ended Jannik Sinner’s run with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
“I think it will be a nice match to play,” said Murray. “Me and Stan have played a lot against each other… It is nice that we are both able to be back playing against each other in a final.”
The Stockholm Open final, meanwhile, will pit Denis Shapovalov against Filip Krajinovic. Shapovalov will compete for an ATP title for the first time in his career after ousting lucky loser Yuichi Sugita 7-5, 6-2.
At the Kremlin Cup is Moscow, the home crowd will be buzzing on Sunday with Andrey Rublev in the championship match. Rublev defeated Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-4 and will battle Adrian Mannarino for the title. Mannarino’s 6-3, 6-4 win over Andreas Seppi propelled the Frenchman into the final of this tournament for a second straight year.
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amazing, Andy