Muller Ends Troicki's Sydney Reign To Play Evans In Final

SYDNEY, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2017 ) - Gilles Muller ended Viktor Troicki's two year unbeaten run at the Sydney International with a fighting 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) victory to reach the final on Friday.

Muller, after two years coming up short in the semi-finals, went one better to advance to the Sydney final where he will face Britain's Daniel Evans. Evans, who upset Austrian top seed Dominic Thiem in Thursday's quarters, came from a set down in the evening semi-final to account for Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

"I am excited. I am really happy with the way I played to come back in the third set again and get the job done," the 67th-ranked Evans said. "I'm feeling pretty tired. I'll try to get some massage before I leave here and then get some good sleep ahead of the final." Evans continues British success at the Sydney International with Johanna Konta winning the women's final and Jamie Murray into the men's doubles final.

Muller's win ended third seed Serb Troicki's bid for a third Sydney title, lasted achieved by Australian John Bromwich from 1937-40. "I served very well today, especially in the crucial moments when I was down break points with 30-all.

I always managed to serve a first big serve. It helped me a lot," Muller said. "I'm trying to recover well and to be really fit for tomorrow for the final and then just play my game. "When I think about it, I could have been out in the first round.

I saved match points in the first round. I think I'm lucky to be there." Luxembourg's Muller at 34 is the highest-ranked player in the top 50 without a tournament title after losing in five finals, including two last season, both on grass in 's-Hertogenbosch and Newport.

Troicki was philosophical about his defeat: "That's tennis. That's what happens when you don't use your chances. "It's disappointing to lose against the type of the player that normally I like to play, but today he was just too good and served too good in the crucial moments." A single break of serve in Troicki's opening service game was all the sixth seed needed to take the opening set.

Both players exchanged service holds in the second set to force a tie-break. Muller was unable to convert on his first match point at 6-5, but made good on his second chance at 7-6 to wrap up the win in one hour and 29 minutes.