Andy Murray Battles Into L.A. Final

Andy Murray made only his second final of 2010 as he saw off the tough challenge from Spaniard Feliciano Lopez at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles.

It’s the first tournament for the Scot since his semi final loss at Wimbledon and since parting company with his coach Miles Maclagan.

Despite being the competition Murray hasn’t had it all his own way as was made to battle in his previous matches against Tim Smyczek and Alejandro Falla and his match with Lopez was no different.

But Murray started in imperious form as he took the opening seven games to take the opening set 6-0 and the first game of the second in jut twenty four minutes.

But the serving troubles that had plagued him in his opening couple of rounds returned as the momentum swung in the favour of the Spaniard.

As Murray’s form seemed to have deserted him Lopez took six games on the bounce to level the match at a set a piece.

Into a third and final set and the world number four regained him composure as he got an early break in game three to take the lead.

And that break was enough for Murray to seal a hard fought victory in an hour and thirty eight minutes.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match Murray said: "Throughout the whole match until the end there, there wasn't a point where I was playing well and he was also playing well.

"The third set was much closer but neither of us has played much since Wimbledon so maybe that explains the inconsistency."

He will face defending champion Sam Querrey who also had to come through a three set match against Janko Tipsarevic.

In the final set Querrey came from a 1-5 deficit as well as fought off a match point to make the final for the second year in a row.

He wrapped up the victory 6-7 7-6 6-4 with the support of the home crowd.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw