Andy Murray won the all-British encounter against Kyle Edmund on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the China Open. Murray defeated the upcoming tennis star in straight sets, 7-6(9), 6-2.

Murray, who is the reigning Wimbledon Champion, had to work real hard to win the first set. However, he barely worked in the next set, as he completely took charge of the final set and put the result of the match beyond doubt.

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"He made it very tough for me. He's improving at a solid pace now. His] ranking is moving in the right direction," said Murray in the post match conference. "He's getting there. If he keeps going on the path he's on just now, he'll be up at the top of the game very soon." 

Andy Murray will now take on Spain's David Ferrer, who defeated another rising star Alexander Zverev in quarter-finals on Friday. Ferrer had to dig deep to edge past Alexander Zverev 6-7(4), 6-1, 7-5.  The pulsating match that witnessed many ups and downs lasted for nearly two hours and 21 minutes.

The highlight of the match was the first set that saw Ferrer fight back from 4-1 deficit, only to lose to Zverev in a tie breaker. In next two set, the Spaniard relied on his rich experience to fend off Zverev.

Murray is the favorite to win the clash against Ferrer, with the world no 2 enjoying a 13-6 lead in head-to-head record against the Spaniard.  Murray is bidding to close the gap with World No 1 Novak Djokovic, who is not playing in this year's China open due to an elbow injury. 

Tagsandy murray, David Ferrer, Kyle Edmund, Alexander Zverev, china open 2016