ROME (AP) — Andy Murray overcame a slow start to beat German opponent Florian Mayer 1-6, 6-1, 6-1 Friday and become the first British player to reach the Italian Open semifinals in the Open era.
The fourth-ranked Murray also showed decent clay-court form in Monte Carlo last month, taking a set off Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
Murray’s semifinal opponent will be either Novak Djokovic or Robin Soderling, who were playing in a night match at the Foro Italico.
Djokovic is on a 36-match winning streak and could take the No. 1 ranking from Nadal if he wins this tournament and Nadal fails to win his quarterfinal against Marin Cilic.
In women’s play later, local favorite Francesca Schiavone was scheduled to face Sam Stosur in a rematch of last year’s French Open final.
