BARCELONA: Andy Murray gained revenge on Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas and nine-time champion Rafael Nadal cruised into the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open here on Friday.

Ramos-Vinolas beat the world number one on Murray’s return from an elbow injury in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters last week.

He threatened to repeat that upset when he served for the match in the third set, but Murray battled back to edge out the world number 19 by 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) after three hours on court.

Ramos-Vinolas is in the form of his life having risen to a career-high ranking after reaching the final in Monte Carlo.

He dominated the opening stages, taking five straight games after Murray started with a comfortable hold.

Murray edged the second with the only break in the 10th game. Breaks were exchanged early in the decider, whilst Ramos-Vinolas also had to take an injury timeout after twisting his ankle.

Ramos-Vinolas had the chance to serve it out when he broke again for 5-4, but nerves seemed to get the better of him as three errors handed Murray the break back.

Murray raced out to a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak and saw it out as Ramos-Vinolas’s efforts over the past two weeks finally began to take their toll.

The Wimbledon champion faces Dominic Thiem in the semis after the Austrian ended Japanese lucky loser Yuichi Sugita’s unlikely run to the quarters 6-1, 6-2.

Nadal also enjoyed a comfortable afternoon as his quest for a 10th Barcelona title continued unhindered with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 win over Korean qualifier Hyeon Chung.

Nadal will be a strong favourite to reach the final when he takes on Horacio Zeballos in the last four after the Argentine beat Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-1.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017