TENNIS: Murray sees off Nishikori to guarantee medal
Andy Murray guaranteed himself a medal at Rio 2016 with a comfortable 6-1 6-4 victory over Kei Nishikori.
The defending gold medallist surged out the blocks and, despite a run-in with the umpire Carlos Ramos, avoided a second-set slip-up like in his previous two matches against Fabio Fognini and Steven Johnson for a straight-sets triumph.
Murray took the first break point that came his way to move 3-1 up in the first set, and he quickly picked up a second to put himself in position to serve for the lead.
The world number two did so to love when Nishikori sent a tame volley into the net, but he threatened to go off the rails in the second set.
A disagreement with the umpire at 2-2 amid a code violation showed tensions were running high, but Murray responded in fine fashion with a break to love.
Nishikori – ranked seventh in the world – made his opponent work for the win in the final game, but, after coming out on top in a sensational rally, Murray converted match point at the third attempt.
The gold or silver awaits the Brit, while Nishikori will contend the bronze medal match.
