ATP

• Murray to face Querrey for Los Angeles title

  Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Defending champion Sam Querrey battled back from a set down to defeat sixth-seeded Janko Tipsarevic, while top seed Andy Murray outlasted Feliciano Lopez in the semifinals Saturday at the $700,000 Farmers Classic tennis event.

  The second-seeded American Querrey took a 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 decision over the Serb in under three hours on the hardcourts at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

  In the night match, Murray won the first seven games of his match against his Spanish opponent, the fourth seed, but the No. 4 ranked player from Scotland came through with a 6-0, 1-6, 6-4 victory.

  Querrey, who beat Aussie Carsten Ball in last year's Los Angeles finale, fought off a match point in the 10th game of the second set before forcing the second tiebreaker of the match. Tipsarevic raced out to a 5-1 lead, but a feisty Querrey won the next six points to send things into a decisive third set.

  The Serb took a 3-1 lead in the final set. However, the American fought right back and won three straight games to take a 4-3 edge. Each player went on to hold serve over the next two games, giving Querrey a 5-4 margin.

  With the score tied at deuce, Tipsarevic double faulted to put the match in the hands of the American.

  A long backhand by the Serb gave Querrey the thrilling win.

  Querrey will try to become the first player to claim back-to-back titles in LA since countryman Andre Agassi did so in 2001-02. He holds a 3-1 record in title matches this year.

  Tipsarevic was attempting to reach the third final of his career.

  Murray seemed on his way to an easy win, but after losing the second set he gained the upperhand with a break of serve in the first game. Lopez fought off three match points before succumbing after a return into the net.

  Murray is after his first title this year and 15th of his career. This is his second final after losing to Roger Federer at the Australian Open. Murray is 4-0 lifetime against Querrey, including a straight-sets win at Wimbledon this year. Querrey is after his sixth career championship.

  Sunday's champion will collect $111,950.

  08/01 00:46:45 ET