Brit will get to defend his Madrid Open title Sunday
Saturday 7 May 2016 16:27, UK
Everything came together for Andy Murray as he proved too classy for the 'King of Clay' Rafa Nadal on his home dirt again, says Annabel Croft.
The British world No 2 remains on course to defend his Madrid Open title after beating Nadal in straight sets in their semi-final on Saturday.
Murray, whose only previous victory on clay against the nine-time French Open champion came in last year's Madrid final, silenced the home fans inside the Caja Magica with a 7-5 6-4 win in two hours and 11 minutes.
And Sky Sports tennis expert Croft felt that Murray learned his lesson from his semi-final defeat to Nadal in Monte Carlo last month and was noticeably calmer as he gained sweet revenge to reach Sunday's final.
"He clearly looked at the tapes from Monte Carlo and learned that he could not afford to let anything or any outside distractions get in the way," Croft told Sky Sports 3.
"There were so many moments when you felt that Nadal had opportunities - 13 break points obviously - but other opportunities to maybe swing the momentum of the match as he had done in Monte Carlo, but each time Andy was able to raise the bar and push him back.
"He said himself he used his forehand exceptionally well. You see the height differences Andy puts on the ball and the way he pushed Nadal back further behind the baseline and up high onto the backhand.
"And then the way he can flatten out the backhand and accelerate through the court. The sliced backhand that can draw his opponent in, but it's hit low as well.
There are so many elements to his game, I mean he can win points in so many different ways, but today everything came together.
"There are so many elements to his game, I mean he can win points in so many different ways, but today everything came together.
"He really is such a formidable player, but he was [also] mentally strong today."
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