Rotterdam, The Netherlands (SportsNetwork.com) – Former champion Andy
Murray was unable to get past Gilles Simon, while reigning titlist Tomas
Berdych handled Gael Monfils to reach the semifinals at the $1.825 million
World Tennis Tournament.
An eighth-seeded Simon subdued the top-seeded Murray 6-4, 6-2 at Ahoy
Rotterdam, where Murray titled back in 2009. Simon hadn’t beaten Murray since
2007, having lost 12 straight against the Brit.
Murray was fresh off his run to the Australian Open final last month.
The third-seeded Berdych, meanwhile, doused the former top-10 star
Monfils 6-1, 6-4, including a brisk 23-minute first set.
“The score may give the impression it was an easy victory, but it was a tough
fight,” said Berdych, who injured his wrist after taking a nasty spill during
the match. “I really had to go all out.”
Berdych, who beat reigning U.S. Open champ Marin Cilic in last year’s
Rotterdam finale, will meet Simon in Saturday’s semifinals.
Meanwhile, fourth-seeded former Aussie Open champ Stan Wawrinka stopped
Luxembourg left-hander Gilles Muller, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
The 2015 champ will earn $405,000.
