Britain’s Andy Murray reached his first tour-level final on grass in six years as he beat Nick Kyrgios in straight sets at the Boss Open in Stuttgart.
Murray defeated Australian Kyrgios 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 and will meet Italian Matteo Berrettini in Sunday’s final.
His last ATP Tour title came at Antwerp in 2019, while he has not contested a tour-level final on grass since winning Wimbledon for a second time in 2016.
Berrettini, beaten Wimbledon finalist last year, overcame German Oscar Otte.
The world number 10 won 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-5) and will face Murray for the first time since winning in straight sets in the second round at Queen’s last year.
Murray maintains momentum on the grass
Murray, 35, beat Greek top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals on Friday, claiming his first victory over a top-five player since 2016, before his two hip operations.
He faced a different challenge against the mercurial Kyrgios, but ultimately his victory was a comfortable one as he dominated the second set after edging a first-set tie-break.
Kyrgios received a game penalty early in the second set for unsportsmanlike conduct and was unable to recover, as Murray opened a commanding 4-1 lead with a second break of serve.
The former world number one, currently ranked 68th, is yet to drop a set in an impressive four-match streak in Stuttgart.
The three-time Grand Slam champion, who has reunited with former coach Ivan Lendl with whom he won his two Wimbledon titles, will now contest his 10th grass-court final on Sunday – and 70th final of his career.
Sonego awaits Murray at Queen’s
Murray is playing several grass-court events before Wimbledon begins on 27 June, and next up will be the Cinch Championship at Queen’s, which starts on Monday.
Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, the world number 32, awaits Murray in the first round there.
Elsewhere in the first round at Queen’s, British number one Cameron Norrie will face Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, while Dan Evans takes on defending champion Berrettini.
Fellow Briton Ryan Peniston has a tough opening assignment against top seed and French Open runner-up Casper Ruud, and Liam Broady meets Croatia’s Marin Cilic.
