Andy Murray came from behind to complete a 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-4 win over Kevin Anderson in the Valencia Open quarter-finals.
The British number one’s reward for winning a match that ran for two hours and 44 minutes is a meeting with David Ferrer or Thomaz Bellucci in the last four.
World number 10 Murray is occupying the eighth and final place in the race to qualify for the ATP Tour finals at London’s O2 on November 9-16, but Ferrer is ninth and could yet overtake the Scotsman by winning the tournament on home soil.
Murray struggled with his serve in losing the first set (3-7) against Anderson on a tie-break, but he was reaching peak form with ball in hand when winning the deciding set. He has now won 16 of his past 18 matches.
Murray needed to advance to the semi-finals in Valencia to enhance his points total with only his best six results outside of the Grand Slams and Masters events counting.
Rafael Nadal may yet open up another place for Murray to claim. The Spaniard has had to pull out of next week’s Paris Masters – the final counting tournament before the O2 – and doubts remain over whether he will make it.
Nadal has played only three tournaments since Wimbledon due a wrist injury.
Murray is attempting to qualify for the Tour finals for a seventh consecutive year and won the Vienna title last week when he came from a set down to beat Ferrer in the final.
Six men chasing three places at World Tour finals.
Race to London position 5 – Kei Nishikori Jpn – not in action this week
7 Tomas Berdych Cze – lost in Valencia first round
8 Andy Murray GB – reached Valencia last four
9 David Ferrer Spa – playing Valencia quarter-finals
10 Milos Raonic Can – playing Basel quarter-finals
11 Grigor Dimitrov Bul – playing Basel quarters-finals
