Tennis: Murray outpaces Ferrer to reach Paris Masters final

Murray in action against David Ferrer. REUTERS

PARIS (REUTERS) - World number three Andy Murray reached his maiden Paris Masters final when he outpaced Spanish eighth seed David Ferrer 6-4 6-3 despite a few off moments on Saturday.

The British second seed lost his focus at times but eventually had more in store than the 2012 Bercy champion to set up a showdwon with either world number one Novak Djokovic or French Open champion Stan Wawrinka.

Murray got off to a dream start, breaking to love in the first game. It spurred Ferrer into action and the Spaniard levelled for 3-3 when two unforced errors gave him a break in the sixth game.

In a see-saw opening set, Ferrer set up four more break points in the eighth game but Murray saved them and went on to steal his opponent's serve as the Spaniard made a string of unforced errors.

The Scot finished a superb exchange at the net with a fine sliced lob to set up two set points. On the first one, Ferrer netted a routine backhand.

The Spaniard stayed focused, however, and raced to a 3-1 lead in the second.

But double grand slam champion Murray discovered his range again, finding gravity-defying angles to win five games in a row, wrapping up the victory on his first match point when Ferrer netted a drop shot.

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