Andy Murray is through to his 70th ATP Tour final after defeating Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in straight sets at the Boss Open in Stuttgart.
The former world No.1 overcame a tricky opener before brushing aside a visibly frustrated Kyrgios 7-6(5), 6-2, in just over 90 minutes to extend his winning head-to-head record to 6-1. Murray won 71% of his service points and was unbroken throughout the match. The win comes just 24 hours after he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in what was his first victory over a top five player since 2016.
As a result of his run in Stuttgart, Murray is set to enter back into the world’s top 50 on Monday for the first time since May 2018. In recent years the Brit has undergone two operations on his hip and now played with a metal rod inserted into his joint. He has also been hindered by other various physical issues.
“It has been a long time since the last final on grass,” Murray said following his win over Kyrgios. “A lot of ups and downs, but I kept going and kept working and finally managed to get to another one. I am proud of the effort I have put in.
“I was just a little more solid in the tie-break. I asked the questions.
“On these courts, when it is playing quick, the set often comes down to one or two points and I was a little more secure at the end of the first set.”
Heading into the second set Murray capitalized on a highly animated Kyrgios who received a point penalty followed by a game penalty for racket abuse and unsportsmanship conduct. The world No.78 was visibly irritated during the match by the crowd but it wasn’t until after that he revealed the reason as to why. In an Instagram post Kyrgios said ‘racial slurs’ were directed to him by some of those watching him play.
“When is this going to stop? Dealing with racial slurs from the crowd? I UNDERSTAND THAT MY BEHAVIOUR ISN’T THE BEST ALL THE TIME – but ‘you little BLACK SHEEP’, ‘shut up and play’… little comments like this are NOT ACCEPTABLE. When I retaliate to the crowd, I get penalised. This is messed up.” He wrote.
As for Murray, he is a win away from winning his first ATP trophy on the grass since Wimbledon 2016. Awaiting him in the final will be Mateo Berrettini who is staging a comeback on his own. This week is the first time the Italian has played since March after having surgery on his right hand. Berrettini beat Oscar Otte 7-6(7), 7-6(5), in his semi-final match.
“I am really happy. Arriving at the tournament, that was the goal [to reach the final],” Berrettini said. “From thinking about it and actually making it is a big difference. I am happy I am here and have another chance to play another final after months without playing and after the first big surgery in my career.
“This means this is my level and I have proved once again I am comfortable at this level and on this surface. I really like it here at Stuttgart.”
Murray is tied with Berrettini at 1-1 in their head-to-head. In Stuttgart he is bidding to win his 47th Tour title and his first since the 2019 Antwerp Open.
