If a set of tennis can be described as flawless, that which Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares inflicted on Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the first 41 minutes of their semi-final win on day 11 of the 2016 US Open is surely a candidate.
The British and Brazilian combination – both finalists here with different partners, Murray last year with John Peers against the French pair – did not commit a single unforced error in the opening set, nor did they give their excellent opponents a break opportunity in the session on their way to winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, on the new Grandstand court.
“We’ve won five great matches, one more to go. We’ll give it our best,” Murray said. Soares added: “We’re very proud. They’re the number one team. We played at our best, served well, good under pressure.”
It was hot and humid, with hardly a breeze to cool their sweating brows, and, despite their quick start, they had to work hard for exactly two hours.
The French pair – bidding to become only the second team to defend their title here in the Open era since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde managed it in 1996 – found some fire in the second set, forcing Soares to save three break points for four-all, the pair’s toughest hold to that point.
Herbert held to love and Murray, who had served so well, double-faulted on break point in the 10th game to hand them the set. Herbert was under pressure again in the ninth game of the decider. Serving to stay in the match, he saved four break points before Murray slid the winner down the middle at the net.
