Andy Murray turns to rehab and rest in preparation for Andy Roddick

The irony of Andy Murray going through to the semi-finals of the Aegon Championships on a walkover because of Marin Cilic's withdrawal with an injured ankle provided weird symmetry to a day of sodden chaos and drama. As the Croatian hobbles out, the Scot strolls on, healthier by the day and still smiling – although Murray said he would have appreciated a run-out against Cilic. As the schedulers moved players between courts in a desperate attempt to beat the foul weather that has plagued the tournament on every day, Murray had the luxury of retiring to the comfort of the treatment room to do further rehab on his own dodgy ankle ahead of his match against Andy Roddick on Saturday. The American beat Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-2 in yet another rain-spattered match on Friday and looks in good shape. Murray said he learned of Cilic's injury when warming up for the match, and with James Ward still involved in his shoot-out with Sam Querrey. Cilic told Murray he had also hurt his knee when turning on his ankle the previous day but, whatever the extend of the injury, Murray was more focused on Roddick. He spent the day hitting up briefly outdoors and then went inside for more practice and exercise on his own knee, which he says is holding up well. Roddick, clearly, will be a step-up in class. "He's one of the best grass court players in the world," Murray said. "A good test to see where my game is at." He acknowledged that there had been a bit of edge between them at the start of his career, but was quick to add, "the last few years, I haven't felt that at all". As they were coached, at different stages, by Brad Gilbert, Murray reckoned the rivalry was perhaps more intense than it might otherwise have been. "Both of us were more fiery a few years ago," he said. Roddick said: "It's going to be tough. I don't think there's going to be a lot of surprises. We're probably in the two hands' worth of guys that really feel comfortable on this surface." Recalling his win over Murray at Wimbledon two years ago, Roddick said: "It was obviously a great result for me, especially on the heels of the way he was playing at that moment. I remember people were talking about a Murray/Roger [Federer] final already. I had to play one of my best matches to beat him, though. That's a credit to his level, where it is consistently." All is calm now, though, as Murray prepares for a match that will tell him how close he is to his best form two weeks out from Wimbledon.