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Valencia - British No 1 Andy Murray rallied from a set down to reach the semi-finals of the Valencia Open on Friday with a 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-4 win over South Africa's Kevin Anderson.
Murray is hoping to boost his chances of a seventh consecutive appearance in the World Tour Finals in London next month and will face David Ferrer in a crucial clash for one of the remaining three places on Saturday after the Spaniard overcome Brazilian Thomaz Belluci.
A horrible service game that included two double-faults put Murray in trouble in the first set as the big-serving Anderson broke to love to lead 4-3.
The two-time Grand Slam champion repaired the damage by breaking straight back in a marathon 22-point game, but Anderson proved too strong in the tie-break as Murray's service faltered once more.
After an early exchange of breaks in the second, it was Murray who took control with some characteristic chasing from well behind the baseline before passing Anderson at the net to break for a 5-4 lead.
The Scot served out for the set and broke through again at the beginning of the decider with a lovely lob for which Anderson had no answer
And despite blowing three match points when serving for victory, Murray sealed his 16th win in 18 matches when Anderson found the net on his fourth match point.
Results from the fifth day of the ATP Valencia Open on Friday (x denotes seeding):
Quarter-finals
David Ferrer (ESP x1) bt Thomaz Belluci (BRA) 6-1, 6-2
Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt Kevin Anderson (RSA x7) 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-4
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 6-1, 6-2
Tommy Robredo (ESP) bt Pablo Andujar (ESP) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4
