Murray hurries into first grasscourt final

By Pritha Sarkar

LONDON (Reuters) - Andy Murray was one match away from his first grasscourt title after hustling past Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-2 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Queen's Club tournament on Saturday.

The top seed outwitted the former world number one with an assortment of angles, spins and power and will now have his sights set on becoming the first British champion at the west London club since Bunny Austin in 1938.

Standing in his way will be either four-times champion Andy Roddick or James Blake, who contest the second semi-final later on Saturday.

Murray will carry his country's hopes at Wimbledon later this month and his performance would have sent an ominous warning to all his rivals.

"Happy to win in straight sets... it's been a good week and hopefully it can continue tomorrow," Murray, who dropped only five points on serve in the opening set, said courtside.

Ferrero, now ranked 90th in the world, had dropped only one set en route to contesting his first grasscourt semi-final but Murray was quick to expose his weaknesses.

A searing passing shot winner earned Murray a break point in the opening game and the 29-year-old Spaniard promptly dropped his serve by scooping a backhand into the next just seconds later.

The Scot appeared to be floating around the sun-bathed Centre Court as he hit winners at will to take the opening set in just 28 minutes.