Andy Murray reaches Shenzhen Open semi-final, boosting chances of ATP World Tour Finals place

The Scot is in need of rankings points if he is to play at the O2 later this year

Andy Murray at the US Open earlier this year (GETTY IMAGES)

Andy Murray boosted his bid to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals by reaching the last four of the Shenzhen Open in China on Friday.

Murray edged past Slovakia's Lukas Lacko 6-3 7-5 in 79 minutes to set up a semi-final clash with Argentina's Juan Monaco.

The Scot is chasing points as well as his 29th career title in Shenzhen as he looks to book a place at the lucrative showpiece at London's O2 Arena.

The 27-year-old started the week in 11th place in the Race with only the top eight players guaranteed to qualify.

Murray seized his solitary break point chance in Lacko's opening service game to win the first set, then crucially broke Lacko in the 11th game of the second before serving out for victory.

World number 97 Monaco pulled off an upset 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 win over third seed Richard Gasquet to set up his last-four clash with Murray.

Fourth seed Tommy Robredo beat Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 and will play Santiago Giraldo - a 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 winner over Serbia's Viktor Troicki - in the other semi-final.

PA