Murray bulks up confidence with Challenger SF

The former No. 1 and treble Grand Slam champion is building up for a return to the big-time next week at the Tour stop on grass in Stuttgart.

The Scot will be making his debut in the German car-making capital n a field also due to feature Nick Kyrgios.

In Surbiton southwest of Wimbledon, Murray posted a  6-4, 7-6(1) defeat of American Brandon Nakashima.

Blustery conditions in the capital made every shot a challenge for the pair. 

“The conditions were tricky, it was a bit blustery,” Murray, 35 and now ranked 67th, said.

“There was some old-school grass-court tennis out here. 

“I enjoy it here, but it is different to Wimbledon and Queen’s, in terms of the way the court plays.

“It’s a lot quicker here and there’s not many opportunities to break serve. I had to stay strong at the end of the second set.”

The Scot will next take on another American in Denis Kudla in the Saturday semi-finals.

Murray is playing a grass Challenger for the first time since he was 17.

Andy Murray boosted confidence in the lower leg of the ATP with a place in the semi-finals of the Surbiton Challenger in London.

The former No. 1 and treble Grand Slam champion is building up for a return to the big-time next week at the Tour stop on grass in Stuttgart.

The Scot will be making his debut in the German car-making capital n a field also due to feature Nick Kyrgios.

In Surbiton southwest of Wimbledon, Murray posted a  6-4, 7-6(1) defeat of American Brandon Nakashima.

Blustery conditions in the capital made every shot a challenge for the pair. 

“The conditions were tricky, it was a bit blustery,” Murray, 35 and now ranked 67th, said.

“There was some old-school grass-court tennis out here. 

“I enjoy it here, but it is different to Wimbledon and Queen’s, in terms of the way the court plays.

“It’s a lot quicker here and there’s not many opportunities to break serve. I had to stay strong at the end of the second set.”

The Scot will next take on another American in Denis Kudla in the Saturday semi-finals.

Murray is playing a grass Challenger for the first time since he was 17.

Bill Scott

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