MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Andy Murray’s four-set win over Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open on Thursday will be remembered more for the tension between the players than the shot-making on the court.
There were the usual expletives from Murray, but this time his fiancée, Kim Sears, appeared to mouth several from the player’s box, too.
There were also complaints from Berdych about the balls – the umpire checked them, no problem. And then there was an attempt by Berdych at some mild-mannered trash talking as the players swapped ends after he captured the first set.
Berdych muttered something as the two men crossed, causing an annoyed Murray to complain loudly to the umpire, Pascal Maria. When Maria asked Berdych what he said, he responded, “Good play, Tomas. That’s all I said.”
That was pretty much the end of the good play from Berdych in the match. The Czech player went on to lose his fourth Grand Slam semifinal – and second in a row at the Australian Open – 6-7 (6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5.