Murray Through to AEGON Final

Murray reaches final

Andy Murray stormed into the final of the AEGON Championships with a straight sets victory over four-time champion Andy Roddick.

The British number one controlled the match from the outset, breaking Roddick at the first opportunity in both sets on his way to a 6-3 6-1 victory in just 59 minutes.

Murray will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday's final.

Roddick could simply not touch him as Murray, who has put all concerns over his ankle injury behind him, produced an exhibition of top-class tennis.

Murray mixed his game up magnificently, passing Roddick with some exquisite winners and teasing the American with some traditional drop-shots.

'I got off to a good start. Andy is one of the toughest guys to break on the tour. I managed to get a break early in both sets, everything that touched my racket was going in,' said Murray.

'That doesn't happen much on court. I was lucky.'

Murray was nearly forced to withdraw from the tournament after suffering an ankle injury en route to the French Open semi-finals last week.

But he needed to play on grass to help him adapt from the Paris clay in time for Wimbledon and after a scratchy first couple of rounds his eye is firmly on the title.

Murray received an unexpected day off yesterday when quarter-final opponent Marin Cilic withdrew from their last eight contest with an ankle problem of his own.

That would have allowed Murray time to treat the ankle - and he came racing out of the blocks today, moving into a 3-0 lead before going 4-1 up with two perfect drop shots.

Murray took Roddick to deuce before the American held for a 4-2 lead but he had no way back into the set.

The world number four fired down two aces to claim a 5-2 lead and then fizzed three more past a stunned Roddick to wrap up the opening set.

There was no let-up from Murray in the second set as he fired two forehand winners past Roddick to claim a pair of break points. He needed only one as Roddick netted a volley.

Murray held for 3-1 and then moved a second break up with another deft drop shot before unleashing a forehand winner on the run. It was a masterclass.

Roddick, one of the finest grass court exponents of his generation, had no answer to Murray from the back of the court or from the net.

Murray was pouncing on Roddick's usually deadly serve and he despatched a backhand and then a forehand winner before breaking for a third time to seal a stunning victory.

Roddick said: 'He played great. Everything he touched turned to gold.

'It certainly does nothing for my confidence levels going into Wimbledon. He was just too good for me today.

'We have seen a million times guys start matches hot. It's tougher when the top guys do it. They have more substance behind it.

'You just stick it out. You try different things. He was too solid today. He played better than I did.'