Murray beats Berdych to reach Madrid Open semifinals
MADRID (AP) Andy Murray defeated Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-2 at the Madrid Open on Friday, reaching his second consecutive semifinal at a Masters tournament on clay.
Murray was in control from the start against the eighth-ranked Berdych, hitting 20 winners and not conceding any break points.
The defending champion will next play either fifth-ranked Rafael Nadal or Joao Sousa.
Murray, No. 2 in the world, lost to Nadal in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters last month.
The British player has won six of his last seven games on clay, the surface he struggled on the most early in his career.
Murray needs to win the title this weekend to avoid being overtaken by Roger Federer in the rankings.