MELBOURNE, Australia — Though it began as an apparent battle against his former coach, Andy Murray made sure to dedicate his victory Thursday night to the woman he chose to lead him now.
After losing a long, contentious first set to Tomas Berdych, who scooped up Murray’s former hitting partner Dani Vallverdu after the two split last fall, Murray pulled away for a 6-7 (6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 semifinal victory and a spot in his fourth Australian Open final.
After sealing the victory on his first match point with an ace, Murray turned and pointed toward his current coach, Amélie Mauresmo, as he walked backward toward the net, clenching his fist and jaw defiantly.
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Murray then mentioned the success of the 19-year-old American Madison Keys, who had lost in the women’s semifinals Thursday afternoon after a career-best result under the guidance of another female champion-turned-coach, Lindsay Davenport.
“I see no reason why that can’t keep moving forward like that in the future,” Murray said. “So I’m very thankful for Amélie for doing it. It was, I would say, a brave choice from her to do it, and hopefully I can repay her in a few days.”
