Perfect Murray Reaches Semis

© Getty ImagesAndy Murray is chasing his second major title.

World No. 3 Andy Murray advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals for the fourth year in a row on Wednesday as he ended unseeded Jeremy Chardy’s giant-killing run in Melbourne with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory. The Scot is through to his eighth semi-final in his past nine major appearances.

The 25-year-old Murray has only lost one set of tennis so far this year. The Scot was taken to three sets by John Millman in his first match of 2013 at the Brisbane International before reeling off eight successive straight-sets victories to see him win his 25th tour-level title in Queensland (d. Dimitrov) and take him to the last four at Melbourne Park. He has a perfect 9-0 record this season.

"I think you have to trust yourself that, when you are tested, you're going to play better tennis," said Murray. "You never know for sure. But in the build-up to the tournament I played very well. I haven't lost a set here yet. So maybe I'm expecting to play too well or whatever.  

"But I've done a good job so far in this tournament. I can't be disappointed with where my game's at. And I hope the next round I play better again."

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Murray squandered an initial 3-0 lead in the first set before breaking again to clinch the opener. From 1-0 down in the second set, the Scot won nine straight games for a commanding lead in the match. Chardy came up with a last gasp effort to break back when Murray served for the match at 5-1, but the Scot immediately responded with another service break to claim victory in one hour and 51 minutes.

Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Visit the official tournament website

Murray is bidding to win his second major title and goes onto face Roger Federer in Friday’s semi-final. After four runner-up finishes in Grand Slam finals, Murray made his breakthrough with victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2012 US Open final. Two of his final defeats came in Melbourne, losing to Federer in 2010 and Djokovic in 2011.

"I feel probably a little bit calmer maybe than usual," said Murray. "But I still have an understanding of how difficult it is to win these events. With the players that are still left in the tournament, it's going to be a very tough, tough few days if I want to do that. So I'll just stay focused, work hard in my next couple of practice sessions, and hope I can finish the tournament well."

World No. 36 Chardy was contesting his first Grand Slam quarter-final after knocking out three seeded opponents, including upsetting sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro in five sets in the third round.

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"I played a good match, but he was too good for me," said Chardy. "I thought I tried many things, but there was no chance for me. He was too good. I played a good tournament, so I'm still happy. But it's tough to lose with no solution." 

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