ROME (Reuters) - World number four Andy Murray became the first British player to reach the final four of the Rome Masters on Friday after coming back from a set down to defeat unseeded German Florian Mayer 1-6 6-1 6-1.
The Scot, who improves on John Lloyd's quarter-final in 1978, began in ragged fashion before storming to victory to book a semi-final against Novak Djokovic, his conqueror in January's Australian Open final, or fifth seed Robin Soderling.
The Briton, knocked out in the third round of the Madrid Open last week by unseeded Thomaz Bellucci, got off to the worst possible start after four unforced errors in his opening service game handed Mayer a break.
The clean-hitting German then saved a break point in the fourth game before immediately breaking Murray again with a breathtaking backhand on the stretch as he raced to take the set 6-1.
The first three games of the second set went against serve before Murray, who had been struggling with his toss in the midday sun, steeled himself, saving two break points.
The Scot then broke Mayer twice again, showing his ground court speed and touch with a delicate dropshot followed by a fine backhand crosscourt before finishing the set with another double-handed crosscourt winner.
With Mayer labouring, Murray opened up a 3-0 lead in the deciding set, dictating the game with precise shots to the corner as he raced to what turned out to be an easy victory.
The Scot, who improves on John Lloyd's quarter-final in 1978, began in ragged fashion before storming to victory to book a semi-final against Novak Djokovic, his conqueror in January's Australian Open final, or fifth seed Robin Soderling.
The Briton, knocked out in the third round of the Madrid Open last week by unseeded Thomaz Bellucci, got off to the worst possible start after four unforced errors in his opening service game handed Mayer a break.
The clean-hitting German then saved a break point in the fourth game before immediately breaking Murray again with a breathtaking backhand on the stretch as he raced to take the set 6-1.
The first three games of the second set went against serve before Murray, who had been struggling with his toss in the midday sun, steeled himself, saving two break points.
The Scot then broke Mayer twice again, showing his ground court speed and touch with a delicate dropshot followed by a fine backhand crosscourt before finishing the set with another double-handed crosscourt winner.
With Mayer labouring, Murray opened up a 3-0 lead in the deciding set, dictating the game with precise shots to the corner as he raced to what turned out to be an easy victory.
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