Aix-en-Provence Challenger: Andy Murray beats Luca van Assche in straight sets to reach semi-finals

Andy Murray’s clay-court recovery continued as he defeated Luca van Assche 6-2 7-6(6) to reach the semi-finals of the Aix-en-Provence Challenger. The Scot will face Harold Mayor or Alexander Bublik next as he rebuilds confidence and form ahead of Roland Garros in the wake of a shaky start to the clay season. Ad Murray cruised through a confident opening set before recovering from facing two set points to edge a second set tie-break.

TennisMurray survives mid-match wobble to reach Aix-en-Provence quarter-finalsA DAY AGO It was a third victory in a row for the 35-year-old, who also defeated Gael Monfils and Laurent Lokoli in France, but his first against a top-100 opponent as he took down the world No. 86. Wild card Murray, seeded fifth, suffered heavy defeats in the first round at Monte Carlo and the Madrid Open, but he is now one match away from facing world No.

17 Tommy Paul or David Goffin for the Aix-en-Provence title. Murray had a wobbly start as he was forced to save a break point in the opening game, but he soon settled and took control in game six. The Queen of Clay, stuttering Tsitsipas, Zhang fairytale over — 3 takeaways from Madrid ‘The one Grand Slam I hope to win one day’ — Parry on her future hopes Murray survives mid-match wobble to reach Aix-en-Provence quarter-finals Back-to-back double faults from Van Assche handed the Scot his first break point of the match on a plate and he seized it to punish the youngster.

The Murray serve held firm and he pounced again on set point for his second break, Van Assche sticking a backhand in the net to round off a confident opener for the former world No. 1. Murray ended the first set with 88% of first serve points won and having saved the only break point he faced and