Thursday 2 April 2015 06:54, UK
Andy Murray displayed a winning mentality as he fought back from a set down to defeat Dominic Thiem in the Miami Open quarter-finals, said Barry Cowan.
The Scot was forced on to the back foot by the 21-year-old Austrian, but gradually wore down Thiem’s resistance in a 3-6 6-4 6-1 victory.
After levelling the match with two breaks in the second set, Murray seized two more in the third as he reached the last four in Florida.
Sky Sports expert Cowan was impressed with Murray’s mental strength and believes it could be tested again in the last-four match-up with Tomas Berdych.
“I mentioned at the end of the second set, I didn’t think that Andy was defending as well as we know he can,” said Cowan.
“He is exceptional in that area, but in the third set he defended much better and so often it comes - the more confident you play, the better you hit the ball, you move better, you make the right decisions.
“Also what was really pleasing in that third set, mentally he just didn’t let-up. There was no sign that he was going to lose focus.
“He stamped on his opponent and that will certainly give him a lot of confidence going forward in the semi-finals.
“Against Berdych - the quality of player that Tomas is - that match can be decided by a shot here, a shot there, a point here, a point there.”
