Fourth seed Andrey Rublev churned out another win as he overcame qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-3 to reach the final in Halle on Saturday. 
 
The Russian dropped his first set this week on the grass but responded to ease through a deciding set and book a Sunday final against either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Ugo Humbert. 
 
Rublev claimed his 33rd match win of the year - second only to Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (39) on the ATP standings. 
 
He also took his match record in ATP 500 events to 29-2 since the Tour resumed last year after the coronavirus shutdown - a period in which he has won four titles at that level.

Fourth seed Andrey Rublev churned out another win as he overcame qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-3 to reach the final in Halle on Saturday. The Russian dropped his first set this week on the grass but responded to ease through a deciding set and book a Sunday final against either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Ugo Humbert.

Fourth seed Andrey Rublev churned out another win as he overcame qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-3 to reach the final in Halle on Saturday. The Russian dropped his first set this week on the grass but responded to ease through a deciding set and book a Sunday final against either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Ugo Humbert. Rublev claimed his 33rd match win of the year - second only to Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (39) on the ATP standings. He also took his match record in ATP 500 events to 29-2 since the Tour resumed last year after the coronavirus shutdown - a period in which he has won four titles at that level.

Tennis-Rublev through to Halle final

Andy Murray beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to win the China Open on Sunday as he closes in on Novak Djokovic&#39;s number one ranking.&nbsp;

The world number two lost six consecutive points in the second set to be pushed into a tiebreak by the unseeded Bulgarian.

The victory moves Murray 1,000 points closer to long-reigning world number one Djokovic, with the chance of taking the top spot by year-end.

Murray broke Dimitrov&#39;s serve in the opening game of the match, putting the 15th-ranked Bulgarian on the defensive and pushing him to make 21 unforced errors in the opening set.

In the second set, both held their serve through the first four games until Murray broke Dimitrov at 3-2.

In women&#39;s finals, Agnieszka Radwanska beat Johanna Konta in straight sets to take the title, denying the Briton her biggest career crown.

The third-ranked Pole - who cruised through the tournament without dropping a set -&nbsp;sealed her second title in Beijing with an ace for a 6-4, 6-2 win.

The victory was Radwanska&#39;s 20th career crown but there was more on the line for Konta, 25, who was making a bid in the Chinese capital for what would have been her second and biggest title.

Despite the loss, by reaching the Beijing final Konta has amassed enough points to break into the top 10 -- the first British woman to do so since Jo Durie in 1984.

When the new leaderboards are released Monday it will be the first time since computerised rankings were introduced that a British man (Andy Murray) and woman are ranked in the top 10 at the same time.

(AFP)

Radwanska won 6-4, 6-2, sealing her second title in Beijing while this is the first China Open win for Andy Murray

Andy Murray beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to win the China Open on Sunday as he closes in on Novak Djokovic's number one ranking. The world number two lost six consecutive points in the second set to be pushed into a tiebreak by the unseeded Bulgarian. The victory moves Murray 1,000 points closer to long-reigning world number one Djokovic, with the chance of taking the top spot by year-end. Murray broke Dimitrov's serve in the opening game of the match, putting the 15th-ranked Bulgarian on the defensive and pushing him to make 21 unforced errors in the opening set. In the second set, both held their serve through the first four games until Murray broke Dimitrov at 3-2. In women's finals, Agnieszka Radwanska beat Johanna Konta in straight sets to take the title, denying the Briton her biggest career crown. The third-ranked Pole - who cruised through the tournament without dropping a set - sealed her second title in Beijing with an ace for a 6-4, 6-2 win. The victory was Radwanska's 20th career crown but there was more on the line for Konta, 25, who was making a bid in the Chinese capital for what would have been her second and biggest title. Despite the loss, by reaching the Beijing final Konta has amassed enough points to break into the top 10 -- the first British woman to do so since Jo Durie in 1984. When the new leaderboards are released Monday it will be the first time since computerised rankings were introduced that a British man (Andy Murray) and woman are ranked in the top 10 at the same time. (AFP)

Tennis: Murray, Radwanska clinch titles at China Open

Australian power-hitter Nick Kyrgios fired an incredible 25 aces Sunday to win the Japan Open, pounding Belgium&#39;s David Goffin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Kyrgios rocketed serves clocking in at more than 220 kilometres (136 miles) per hour in quick succession, giving Goffin little time to regain his rhythm.

Goffin used his quick footwork and long rallies to put pressure on his opponent, but Kyrgios&#39; fearsome serves, in the end, overwhelmed the world&#39;s number 14.

The Australian&nbsp;ranked 15 in the world, also showed off some sharp ground strokes and saved 11 of 12 break points to lift the trophy in two hours.

&quot;I think my serves are what got me out of trouble,&quot; Kyrgios said. &quot;David makes you feel like the court is small. It was a tough match.&quot;

Goffin managed to take the upper hand early in the match by hitting deep, angled returns to make his opponent run while winning long rallies with some clever footwork.

But Kyrgios fired off superb serves from the start, escalating his big-serve offensives in the second set, landing 11 aces, followed by 10 more in the third. He also took risks to blast out sizzling shots even after faulting on first serves.

&quot;His (Goffin&#39;s) strength was returning. So I had to step up my serves a little bit especially in the second set,&quot; Kyrgios said, adding that he also managed to improve his returns as the match progressed.

Goffin said he attempted to play rallies and wait for Kyrgios to make mistakes, but faced an unending shower of cannon-like serves.

&quot;In the first set, he was not serving like he did in the second and third. I was on the ball in the first set,&quot; Goffin said.

&quot;I think, during the match, he had to serve well because I was doing rallies better,&quot; he said.

&quot;He served 215 (kilometres per hour) on the line with a lot of precision. Even if you choose the right side, it&#39;s tough to return,&quot; Goffin added.

Kyrgios grabbed his third trophy of the season, after many of his big-name rivals pulled out of the Tokyo tournament due to injuries.

Defending champion and US Open winner Stan Wawrinka withdrew from the event due to back trouble, while home favourite Kei Nishikori, winner in 2014 and 2012, was unable to finish his second-round match Wednesday because of muscle strain.

Injuries also forced Argentina&#39;s Juan Martin Del Potro, Japan Open winner in 2013, to skip the tournament after receiving an invitation as a wildcard.

(AFP)

Kyrgios rocketed serves clocking in at more than 220 kilometres per hour in quick succession to lift his third trophy of the season

Australian power-hitter Nick Kyrgios fired an incredible 25 aces Sunday to win the Japan Open, pounding Belgium's David Goffin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Kyrgios rocketed serves clocking in at more than 220 kilometres (136 miles) per hour in quick succession, giving Goffin little time to regain his rhythm. Goffin used his quick footwork and long rallies to put pressure on his opponent, but Kyrgios' fearsome serves, in the end, overwhelmed the world's number 14. The Australian ranked 15 in the world, also showed off some sharp ground strokes and saved 11 of 12 break points to lift the trophy in two hours. "I think my serves are what got me out of trouble," Kyrgios said. "David makes you feel like the court is small. It was a tough match." Goffin managed to take the upper hand early in the match by hitting deep, angled returns to make his opponent run while winning long rallies with some clever footwork. But Kyrgios fired off superb serves from the start, escalating his big-serve offensives in the second set, landing 11 aces, followed by 10 more in the third. He also took risks to blast out sizzling shots even after faulting on first serves. "His (Goffin's) strength was returning. So I had to step up my serves a little bit especially in the second set," Kyrgios said, adding that he also managed to improve his returns as the match progressed. Goffin said he attempted to play rallies and wait for Kyrgios to make mistakes, but faced an unending shower of cannon-like serves. "In the first set, he was not serving like he did in the second and third. I was on the ball in the first set," Goffin said. "I think, during the match, he had to serve well because I was doing rallies better," he said. "He served 215 (kilometres per hour) on the line with a lot of precision. Even if you choose the right side, it's tough to return," Goffin added. Kyrgios grabbed his third trophy of the season, after many of his big-name rivals pulled out of the Tokyo tournament due to injuries. Defending champion and US Open winner Stan Wawrinka withdrew from the event due to back trouble, while home favourite Kei Nishikori, winner in 2014 and 2012, was unable to finish his second-round match Wednesday because of muscle strain. Injuries also forced Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, Japan Open winner in 2013, to skip the tournament after receiving an invitation as a wildcard. (AFP)

Tennis: Nick Kyrgios downs David Goffin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to take Japan Open

Top seed Andy Murray cruised past Spain&#39;s David Ferrer 6-2 6-3 on Saturday and Bulgaria&#39;s Grigor Dimitrov received a walkover into the China Open final after Milos Raonic withdrew due to an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old Murray, who is yet to drop a set this week, sealed victory in one hour 31 minutes, his seventh successive win over fifth seed Ferrer.

The big-serving Raonic was forced to play twice on Friday, beating Tunisia&#39;s Malek Jaziri and Pablo Carreno Busta to advance to the last four and he sustained the injury during the win over the Spaniard.

&quot;Yesterday during my second match in the evening, I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain,&quot; the Canadian told the ATP website.

&quot;I did a test this morning, which showed I had a partial tear on the outside of my ankle. I was told to give it a try. I tried to warm up just before the match like I would normally, and I was unable to play.&quot;

Murray, through to the China Open final for the first time, has enjoyed one of the best years of his career, winning Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal.

World number one Novak Djokovic pulled out of the tournament due to injury.

Raonic pulled out of his semi-final match a few hours before it was due to start.

&quot;Yesterday during my second match in the evening... I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain,&quot; Raonic told reporters.

The sixth-ranked 25-year-old has been stalked by injuries all season, costing him the chance to bag his first Grand Slam title.

He was two sets up to Murray in the Australian&nbsp;Open&nbsp;semis when he suffered a thigh injury, eventually losing in five.

The big-serving Canadian was also tipped to make a run for the crown at Flushing Meadows, but fell in the second round after again injuring himself on court.

Murray made quick work of Ferrer for a place in the finals.

The Spaniard had lost his previous six matches against Murray and failed to get a look in after the Scot went two breaks up in the first set.

(Agencies)

World number one Novak Djokovic had pulled out of the tournament due to injury

Top seed Andy Murray cruised past Spain's David Ferrer 6-2 6-3 on Saturday and Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov received a walkover into the China Open final after Milos Raonic withdrew due to an ankle injury. The 29-year-old Murray, who is yet to drop a set this week, sealed victory in one hour 31 minutes, his seventh successive win over fifth seed Ferrer. The big-serving Raonic was forced to play twice on Friday, beating Tunisia's Malek Jaziri and Pablo Carreno Busta to advance to the last four and he sustained the injury during the win over the Spaniard. "Yesterday during my second match in the evening, I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain," the Canadian told the ATP website. "I did a test this morning, which showed I had a partial tear on the outside of my ankle. I was told to give it a try. I tried to warm up just before the match like I would normally, and I was unable to play." Murray, through to the China Open final for the first time, has enjoyed one of the best years of his career, winning Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal. World number one Novak Djokovic pulled out of the tournament due to injury. Raonic pulled out of his semi-final match a few hours before it was due to start. "Yesterday during my second match in the evening... I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain," Raonic told reporters. The sixth-ranked 25-year-old has been stalked by injuries all season, costing him the chance to bag his first Grand Slam title. He was two sets up to Murray in the Australian Open semis when he suffered a thigh injury, eventually losing in five. The big-serving Canadian was also tipped to make a run for the crown at Flushing Meadows, but fell in the second round after again injuring himself on court. Murray made quick work of Ferrer for a place in the finals. The Spaniard had lost his previous six matches against Murray and failed to get a look in after the Scot went two breaks up in the first set. (Agencies)

China Open: Murray, Dimitrov advance to final

Britain&#39;s Andy Murray advanced to the men&#39;s Olympic final with a straight sets victory over Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori today, securing a chance to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back singles golds at the Games. 
 
In a commanding performance, the Wimbledon champion and number two ranked player broke Nishikori&#39;s serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1. After another service break early in the second set, Murray closed out the match 6-1 6-4. 
 
Though Nishikori&#39;s speed allowed him to punch back against Murray&#39;s blazing ground strokes, the Japanese player was plagued by too many unforced errors and could not break Murray&#39;s serve. 
 
In Sunday&#39;s gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain&#39;s Rafa Nadal or Argentina&#39;s Juan Martin del Potro, who play later on Saturday. 
 
Murray won gold at the 2012 London Games where he defeated Switzerland&#39;s Roger Federer in the final. 
 
But the Briton will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Del Potro, the bronze medallist in London, has drawn energy from boisterous crowds of fans from neighbouring Argentina at the Games. He pulled off an upset by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round in Rio. 
 
Nadal, who has been beset by a wrist injury, also appears to have returned to form. He claimed a gold medal for Spain in men&#39;s doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday. 
 
If Nadal makes the final he will have a chance to become the first player since 1924 to win a gold medal in both men&#39;s singles and doubles at a Games. 
 
(Reuters)

In tomorrow's gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain's Rafa Nadal or Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro

Britain's Andy Murray advanced to the men's Olympic final with a straight sets victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori today, securing a chance to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back singles golds at the Games. In a commanding performance, the Wimbledon champion and number two ranked player broke Nishikori's serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1. After another service break early in the second set, Murray closed out the match 6-1 6-4. Though Nishikori's speed allowed him to punch back against Murray's blazing ground strokes, the Japanese player was plagued by too many unforced errors and could not break Murray's serve. In Sunday's gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain's Rafa Nadal or Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, who play later on Saturday. Murray won gold at the 2012 London Games where he defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the final. But the Briton will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Del Potro, the bronze medallist in London, has drawn energy from boisterous crowds of fans from neighbouring Argentina at the Games. He pulled off an upset by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round in Rio. Nadal, who has been beset by a wrist injury, also appears to have returned to form. He claimed a gold medal for Spain in men's doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday. If Nadal makes the final he will have a chance to become the first player since 1924 to win a gold medal in both men's singles and doubles at a Games. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: Murray advances to final to defend London gold

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Tennis-Rublev through to Halle final

Tennis: Murray, Radwanska clinch titles at China Open

Tennis: Nick Kyrgios downs David Goffin 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to take Japan Open

China Open: Murray, Dimitrov advance to final

Rio Olympics 2016: Murray advances to final to defend London gold