While he may have preferred some time off to watch the boxing superfight on Saturday, Andy Murray instead fended off two separate opponents that afternoon to secure a spot in his first clay court final. The Briton will come up against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, whom he has met on three previous occasions, including once this season already. Murray leads the head-to-head series 2-1.

The British No. 1 advanced to the final on Saturday following two separate matches that he was forced to contest back-to-back following a rain delay that washed away Friday play. First, he rallied to defeated Lukas Rosol 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 before beating Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

“It was a tough, long day,” reflected Murray. “The first match was tough and in the second one there were some long rallies but I managed to serve quite well. Winning matches helps on any surface in building confidence and this was my first week of play since (Roland Garros) last year. It’s been 11 months since I’ve played on the surface. With each match I’ll feel a little more comfortable. Tomorrow will be a tough one. Hopefully we can both recover well and play a good match.”
The German was also forced to play two matches on Saturday. First, he beat David Goffin 2-6, 6-3 6-4 and followed up by rallying back against Gerald Melzer 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

This is just the fourth time these two competitors will cross paths on the tour, and will not be an easy contest for the British No. 1. He has been dealt no favours against his German adversary, who holds a win over Murray back in 2010 on this same surface. While Murray is capable of overcoming the tough battle, he will need to play a clean match-up and remain focused for what could be a long, grueling battle.