BOTB: Top ranked 4 reach semis, tournament organiser Murray reaches doubles final

Day 4 at the Battle of the Brits has confirmed the semi-final line up for singles. Team Soul of Murray and Skupski set up doubles final against Team Peaky Blinders of Evans and Glasspool on Saturday.

Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans maintained their unbeaten singles record at the Battle of the Brits after wins on day 4 over Liam Broady and Ryan Peniston respectively.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6f38dgi77/

Andy Murray (British No. 4 and World #129) will play Dan Evans (British No.1 and World #28) in one semi-final on Saturday. The other will be played between Cameron Norrie (British No.3 and World #77) and Kyle Edmund (British No.2 and World #44).

Evans def. Peniston 6-2, 3-6, 10-4

Peniston, who graduated from Memphis University in 2018, took the second set 6-3 after Evans won the first 6-2. This was Peniston’s first match against a top 30 opponent and this showed when he was serving out the second set. However, the young Brit held his nerve well.

The British No.1 fought back in true Evans style this week to take the third set tiebreak 10-4.

Norrie def. Jubb 6-0, 6-2

Norrie had certainly found his form for this match. At 4-0 and 40-0 up in the first set, Norrie was yet to make an unforced error.

Jubb, who has left the University of South Carolina to focus on his professional career, appeared to be pressing too much and forcing the plays.

After Norrie had set the tone for the match so early on, it was only a matter of time before defeating his 20-year old opponent.

Edmund def. Broady 6-3, 6-3

Edmund completes his whitewash of the Tim Henman Group. For Broady, this concludes his Battle of the Brits tournament, as he was also eliminated in the doubles event on day 3.

Final Standings

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6fleEAhgB/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6fiL4g7nd/

Evans/Glasspool def. Ward/Edmund 7-6(5), 6-3

Evans and Glasspool continue their impressive run by defeating “Team Fearhands”. Glasspool, who struggled to bring the energy in the first set, fulfilled Evans’ request of him to boost the two up. By doing so, he led his pairing towards the final of the doubles on Sunday.

Murray/Skupski def. Salisbury/O’Mara 7-6(2,) 2-6, 10-8

It seems fitting that tournament organizer Murray has made it through to the doubles final on Saturday. He and partner Neal Skupski fought back from losing the second set to come away as winners.

Their victory brings an end to Salisbury and O’Mara’s Battle of the Brits. The pairing had never played together before this week, so it was certainly a positive showing for these two in making the semi-finals.

Finals weekend at the Battle of the Brits is here. Lob and Smash will have full recaps of each day to come.