Creature comforts help Murray reach Surbiton Trophy final

Andy Murray revealed that creature comforts have propelled him through the LTA's Lexus Surbiton Trophy. The former world no.1 conquered heat, wind, a boisterous crowd and stubborn Australian Jordan Thompson to reach the final. Ad Murray's hard-fought 7-6 (5) 6-3 win over Thompson leaves him on the cusp of a first grass court title since his second Wimbledon win back in 2016.

TennisBroady hails experience of O'Mara after Surbiton doubles triumph3 MINUTES AGO After a sporting life spent on red-eye flights, a short drive up the A3 from his Surrey home makes this one of the highlights of the 36-year-old's playing calendar. He said: «I want to try and win all the tournaments I am in and I actually have not played that much grass-court tennis since 2016. »I always feel like I am capable of winning, I got close last year at Stuttgart and was unfortunate in the final there.

«It is great to get another opportunity to win a title on grass. »It was very hot in the semi-final and there were a lot of very tough, long points. «There were some really tight moments at the end of the first set but I did well to get through that and deserved the win in the second set.

»It is nice to play at Surbiton because it is really close to where I live. «It is like a 20 minute drive every morning, I get to see my family and sleep in my own bed every morning and in the evenings which is brilliant. »It is just unbelievably convenient and great to get these matches in ahead the rest of the grass-court season." The wind had been causing Murray problems on centre court in the early stages of the tournament — he lost the first set of his quarter-final against Jason Kubler before rallying to a 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory.