Andy Murray cruises into Olympic final with routine Kei Nishikori win

Andy Murray remains on course to retain his Olympic singles title after marching into the final following victory over Kei Nishikori in Rio. The British number one has secured the third medal of his Games career after a 6-1 6-4 win, to set up a meeting with Juan Martin del Potro or Rafael Nadal on Sunday [14 August].

The Wimbledon champion had struggled past Fabio Fognini and Steve Johnson in the previous two rounds but there was no stopping Murray in the first semi-final as he strolled to a first set lead. Umpire Carlos Ramos then gave the reigning champion a court violation for time wasting, as Nishikori sensed a route back into the match.

An incident that Murray may have allowed to affect him in previous matches he quickly dismissed and as the errors continued to flow from the racquet of Nishikori – who was out of sorts throughout the contest – the Scot grabbed a foothold in the contest. Murray broke again in game six, and though his Japanese opponent saw off two match points, a third came following a breath-taking rally which Murray duly converted to guarantee Team GB another medal.