Andy Murray believes a change of tactics in the second set against Kei Nishikori was the key to him making a fourth successive Roland Garros semi-final.
The world No.1 has yet to lift the French Open crown, and there were fears that run may continue when Nishikori took the first set of their quarter-final clash.
But the second set proved the turning point for the double Olympic gold medallist, levelling up the match with the tennis that has taken him to top spot in the world with a 6-1 set.
From that moment Murray was not to look back, coming from behind to win without requiring a fifth set on Court Philippe-Chatrier – the 30-year-old now looking forward to a semi-final rematch with Stan Wawrinka.
“I needed to start putting a little bit of pace on my shots, he was dictating them all in the first set and making me move a lot,” Murray said of Nishikori.
“It was quite windy so the timing was a little difficult, but once I started getting into a better rhythm that made a big difference.
“Stan has played fantastically this tournament, I don’t think he’s dropped a set and last year he was also playing very well, I had to play one of my best matches on clay to win.
“It will be very tough but I’ll fight as hard as I can, hopefully play some good tennis and make it a tough battle. I’m happy to be into the semi-finals again, it’s not always been easy for me, but the past few years have been great.”
Nishikori used the first set to show exactly why he has been a mainstay in the world’s top ten, leaving Murray with very little chance in an opener which the Japan star claimed 6-2.
But Murray, now just two games away from his third different Grand Slam trophy, battled back in his typical, gritty fashion – winning five games in a row to take the second set and level up the match.
The third was a rather tight affair, with Murray breaking and serving for the set only for the 27-year-old to respond with a break back of his own.
That took the set to a crucial, yet surprisingly one-sided, tie-break as the Scot waltzed to a 7-0 scoreline – enough to take him one set away from the semi-final in the process.
And last year’s beaten finalist was not to let the opportunity slip, despite an opening game break, to once again blitz his way to six games and take his place in the last four where Warwinka stands in the way of a second Roland Garros final.
Sportsbeat 2017