Pushed to the limit: Andy Murray edges past American Steve Johnson into men’s semi-finals
Defending Olympic champion Andy Murray reached the semi-finals of the men’s tennis on Friday after winning a third-set tiebreak to scrape through a testing encounter against American Steve Johnson.
Defending Olympic champion Andy Murray reached the semi-finals of the men’s tennis on Friday after winning a third-set tiebreak to scrape through a testing encounter against American Steve Johnson.
Britain’s Murray, the world number two, edged into the last four 6-0 4-6 7-6(2) but was pushed to the limit by the 22nd-ranked Johnson, who came back to win the second set after being brushed aside in the first.
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Murray will face the winner of a match later on Friday between Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Gael Monfils of France.
In the first women’s semi-final of the Games, Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig beat Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic for a spot in the gold medal match.
At past Games, Puerto Rico has captured a total of just eight medals, mostly in boxing.
Puig will take on either American Madison Keys or Angelique Kerber of Germany in the final.
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On the other side of the men’s draw, Rafa Nadal of Spain will play home favorite Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil later on Friday. The winner will take on either Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro or Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals.