Andy Murray produces sublime win over Nick Kyrgios

ByEurosport

Updated 27/01/2015 at 14:30 GMT

Andy Murray produced a truly outstanding performance to beat home crowd favourite Nick Kyrgios and make the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Caption:Andy Murray of Britain celebrates his victory over Nick Kyrgios of Australia in their men's singles match on day nine of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2015 (AFP)

Image credit: AFP

The Scot was imperious in winning 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3, losing just 21 points on serve and not facing a single break point until deep in the match.

His sole wobble came at 4-2 in the third set immediately after breaking Kyrgios for the second time in the match. The Aussie threw everything at Murray, who eventually folded by trying a sliced backhand drop shot that dropped feebly into the net that gifted the break back.

Yet Murray dug deep as he had throughout, showing his best on the occasions - such as in the second set tie-break - when Kyrgios looked threatening. He broke back immediately, in large part courtesy of two thundering forehand winners, then served out the match to make his fifth successive semi-final in Melbourne.

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"I was determined to get off to a fast start," said Murray.

"Nick's a huge hitter, I just tried to keep it out of the strike zone as much as possible," he added of his tactics before paying a warm tribute to his opponent.

Nick Kyrgios throws his racket (Reuters)

Image credit: Reuters

"Don't put too much pressure on him," he told the home crowd.

"He's going to make mistakes, he's young, and growing up in the spotlight isn't easy, but he's only going to get better...

"Not many people have done what he's done at such a young age, to make two Grand Slam quarter-finals as a teenager is incredible," Murray added. "And he's only going to get better."

Murray got off to a good start, holding serve with ease - as he did almost throughout the match - and breaking his opponent in the sixth game as Kyrgios, clearly feeling the pressure, put a couple of forehands in the net.

Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a forehand in her quarterfinal match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day nine of the 2015 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia

Image credit: Getty Images

Kyrgios saved one break point with an ace, but at deuce gave up the break with two poor shots into the tramlines and Murray served out from 4-2 up to get in front.

The second set saw both men looking good on serve as Kyrgios upped his game - and the Aussie got his nose in front during the eventual tie-break as he led 4-3.

But Murray won four of the next five points to take charge of the match - and from there on, Kyrgios always looked destined to lose the match, his shoulders slumping towards the end.

When Murray broke in game six, Kyrgios's break back seemed to come from nowhere - but nobody was surprised when Murray upped his game once more to undo the damage at the first time of asking, then he served out to make his fifth semi-final in Melbourne.

Next up for Murray is Czech star Tomas Berdych, a tough opponent who leads their head-to-head 6-4, and who will come to the last four on a high having beaten Rafa Nadal in similarly impressive fashion.

But Murray's form was equally impressive - and on Tuesday's evidence, the world of tennis is in for an epic clash between the two.