Andy Murray vs Mikhail Youznhy in Valencia Open final
Andy Murray defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 while Mikhail Youzhny upset Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the Valencia Open final.
Murray struggled with his serve but took advantage of Verdasco’s service game to break for 4-3 in the first set and hold on.
The Spaniard started the second set with a break in the first game, and evened the set score when Murray double-faulted. In the deciding set, Murray made the decisive break for 4-2 against the Spaniard and advanced to his seventh final of the season.
“I managed to stay strong because he hit some really big winners, and put some pressure on me,” said Murray.
Nikolay Davydenko led Youzhny by a set and 4-4 but lost the next two games to be forced into a third set.
Youzhny then broke Davydenko’s first two service games and never looked back.
"It was a close game, actually," assessed Youzhny. "In the second set I broke him then lost my serve. At 4-4 I played a good game and I broke him at 5-4. The next four games he was a little bit tired and I played really well.”
Eeven he lost Davydenko is confident he will still qualify during the Paris Masters next week.
"I have a chance of going to London because if you see some results behind me, Soderling, Tsonga and Gonzalez need to win Paris Bercy. If someone only reaches the final, I’m in. No. 7 or No. 8, it doesn't matter."
Murray will go for his fifth title of the season and Youzhny has made his third final in his last four tournaments so both players will be in top form on Sunday, it should be a very interesting meeting.
"I needed to play better than I did in the earlier rounds to win and I managed to do that," Murray said. "I’m very happy to be in a final after coming off a long break and I’ll try to recover and do well tomorrow. Youzhny played well against Davydenko. He’s been on a good run at the end of the year after not starting so well. He’ll be back in the Top 20 after this week so I’ll obviously have to play well to beat him."
Source ATP
Photo credit should read JAIME REINA/AFP/Getty Images
