Andy Murray reached the French Open quarter-finals by beating John Isner 7-6 6-4 6-3.
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Three-times semi-finalist Murray will play Richard Gasquet, the sole surviving French singles player, who had the crowd in raptures on Court Philippe Chatrier with a scintillating 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 win over Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori.
Murray got a set point on the Isner serve in game 10 and won a volley contest with the 2.08m American at the net to seal a two-set advantage.
The match might have taken a different course if Isner had won a tense tie-break at the end of the first set in which he had three set points, but once Murray had his nose in front he pulled away.
Isner took a 0-5 career record against Murray on to a murky Court Suzanne Lenglen but he stuck manfully to his task in the first set, denying the Briton the slightest whiff of a break.
PARIS Spanish fourth seed Garbine Muguruza reached the French Open quarter-finals for the third year in a row when a solid display earned her a 6-3 6-4 victory against former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova on Sunday. The Brit has won their past four meetings, including a three set win in the indoor tournament in Paris previous year, and has won both their meetings at the French Open in the past.
For Murray has won his 14 matches in such circumstances at the majors, and has only ever lost one of these – 10 years ago against Gael Monfils at this venue. He said, ‘ I think the reason I’m playing there is to try and win medals; it’s not necessarily for ranking points. However, serving at 5-4, he overcooked a forehand before Isner pounced on a second serve to fashion a set point.
Murray survived a one-hour rain interruption and finished with an ace.
The Scot has won his last 15 matches against French foe – and also his last 15 against men playing in home Majors despite the backing of their own crowd.
Wawrinka, the third seed, saw off Serbia’s Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-2 for his 11th straight win in the year’s second Grand Slam.
The Serb, as I said in Friday’s preview, faced an opponent in round three that was exhausted after a marathon in round two and I’m not sure that win over Gilles Simon will amount to much.
Murray was never in danger against Isner and controlled the match, but the Scot says his serve is an area he wants to improve in the next round. If he indeed advances to the semifinal, he would face the victor of No. 3 seed Stan Wawrinka vs. upstart Albert Ramos-Vinolas. I didn’t get off to the best start that day.
“I had lost four times in a row here so I am very happy”, said the shock victor who had also won just four matches in his entire career at the majors before coming to Paris.
The match is due to be played on Tuesday, although, after a complete washout on Monday and with the forecast bad again, Murray and Gasquet may well have to come back on Wednesday.
Andy Murray shows his frustration during his battl against John Isner.
“I think I’m now better at the five-set format”, Gasquet said.
“I’m coming to express my frustration, in a way, because at other places, they would play on centre court”, he said. I didn’t have any chances, really, in the first set until the tie-break.
I’m very impressed with the way Gasquet is playing right now, as he’s killing the ball, gaining confidence and has the clear crowd support.
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Gasquet added: “I know what I need to do”.
