Fernando Verdasco ended Andy Murray’s bid for a second Shenzhen Open crown on Friday. The Spanish veteran reached his first ATP World Tour hard-court semi-final for almost 12 months with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 40 minutes.
Verdasco was solid on serve – dropping just five of his first-service points (27/32) and hit 11 aces, including on match point – to beat Murray for just the third time in 16 FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings.
The 34-year-old withstood two break points at 4-4, prior to breaking Murray’s serve in the next game. He opened up a 3-1 lead in the second set, finishing with 36 winners – 14 off his forehand wing. Verdasco also beat Murray in the US Open second round.
Earlier in the day, Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka advanced to his second tour-level semi-final by beating Cameron Norrie of Great Britain 7-6(2), 6-2 in 90 minutes. Norrie lost just five of his first-service points, but won 11 of 28 points on his second serve.
Murray will now travel to Beijing for the China Open, which will mark his final ATP World Tour tournament of the season. He then intends to recuperate, following right hip surgery in January, and prepare to return to full health for 2019.
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