"Been a long time" - Murray after reaching Stuttgart final

Andy Murray reached his first tour-level final on grass since 2016 at the BOSS OPEN Saturday, moving past Australian Nick Kyrgios 7-6(5), 6-2 in Stuttgart.

In a close first set, the Scot saved both break points he faced and raised his intensity on return in the tie-break to move ahead. The 2nd set was largely handed to him by Kyrgios who lost the compass as he usually tends to do when things go south.

He explained:

“It has been a long time since the last final [on grass]. A lot of ups and downs, but I kept going and kept working and finally managed to get to another one. I am proud of the effort I have put in."

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Speaking about the tiebreak, Murray added:

“I was just a little more solid in the tie-break. I asked the questions. On these courts, when it is playing quick, the set often comes down to one or two points and I was a little more secure at the end of the first set.”

The 35-year-old will be aiming to clinch a ninth career title on the surface when he meets Italian Matteo Berrettini in Sunday’s final, in what will be a third meeting between the pair.