Andy eyeing a Queen’s record
Andy Murray eased past Marin Cilic to book his final spot at Queen’s.
Murray already numbers among the eight men to win Queen’s on four occasions, and can step away from the pack with victory in today’s final in west London.
Defending champion Murray will now bid to retain the Queen’s crown for the first time, after battling past world number 13 Cilic in defiant but composed fashion.
The 29- year- old admitted claiming a record fifth title certainly offers big motivation ahead of Sunday’s showpiece clash.
“Yeah for sure, there’s been many great players here over the years,” Murray said when asked if chasing the outright Queen’s titles record added to his motivation.
“Yesterday they had Roy Emerson, John McEnroe, Lleyton Hewitt and Boris Becker all here, who have won it four times as well.
“These are some of the best players of all time.
“So if I can do better than some of them, that’s a good sign. But I’m not going to take anything for granted.”
Murray’s last-four clash was a repeat of the 2013 Queen’s final, and once again the Scot required three sets to sink his Croat foe.
Cilic could find precious few answers to Murray’s imperious cross-court forehand, as the world No. 2’s renewed partnership with Ivan Lendl continued to offer promise.
Even when Cilic found his groove and raised the level, Murray produced the answers without issue.
Murray whistled through the first set in 35 minutes, breaking Cilic’s serve twice, the second to love to seal the opener 6-3.
The opening set’s crux came at 2-1 when Murray had just broken Cilic for the first time.
Despite handing Cilic four break points Murray held both nerve and serve however, and after that swept his way to the first set.
Murray saved one break point in the fourth game of the second set, but could not defend another when Cilic moved ahead 4-3.
The Scot then wasted three chances for an immediate break back, and that service hold proved a crucial boost for Cilic’s confidence.
The powerful server fired two aces to complete the critical hold, before sealing the set 6-4.
An unruffled Murray quickly regained his hold however, sandwiching the decisive service break between two holds.
It was a lead the two-time Grand Slam winner was never to let slip as he duly coasting to victory to book his final spot.
Murray will face another big server after Canada’s Milos Raonic saw off Australian Bernie Tomic 6-4 6-4 in yesterday’s other semi.