“I would have never thought that I was going to win the first four matches in straight sets, so I’m extremely pleased”, said Federer, who will next face Marin Cilic, the 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) Croat who beat him en route to the 2014 U.S. Open title. Prior to this deadlock, Andy Murray missed out on a chance to take set point in the tenth game, with Kyrgios saving set point after a 40-15 win.
Advertisement
“Now, you really have to play your best tennis”.
On Monday he reached his ninth consecutive Wimbledon quarter-final, hanging on to Kyrgios’s coat-tails for much of a pulsating first set before the Australian lost focus to concede the second and third sets tamely in a 7-5 6-1 6-4 defeat. Kyrgios revealed later: “He said: “Sorry”.
While Murray will be looking no further than his next match, this crushing victory reinforced his position as the favourite to win the tournament following Novak Djokovic’s defeat at the weekend. Murray couldn’t have written a better script for his tournament to date. “I’m just here to do the best I can”, Williams said. (Incidentally, Court 18 is where Mahut lost that famous 70-68 fifth set to John Isner – that’s just cruel, Wimbledon.) Querrey, of course, consolidated the break.
Macfayden, a Wimbledon first-timer, said: “I’m over-excited to see Roger and I’m a big Federer fan, and the idea of seeing him in the flesh is beyond thrilling”.
Murray has now made nine last eight appearances at the All England Club, the same number as the legendary Pete Sampras, with only Boris Becker (11) and Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer (14) ahead of him.
Philippoussis made it as high as World No.8. “I’m also very confident in my capacity to play great tennis and beat players like Andy”.
The dashing actor, sporting a full beard, looked a far cry from his scythe-wielding character as he wore a grey suit and sunglasses, his hair pulled into a ponytail.
“It’s not just the mental part, he needs to work on his game”.
Kyrgios has not employed a coach for over a year, but Woodforde said: “Maybe it is not a coach, maybe it is a psychologist or doctor of some sort who can help him with issues because I think it does start off the court with him”. I expect to play my best tennis at these events and put a large amount of pressure on myself to do so, which I don’t think people always appreciate.
“The trick is to keep that up and maintain that level for the whole two weeks”.
JAMIE MURRAY’S doubles partner claims umpires punish nice guys quicker than hotheads.
In a brutally honest press conference after being beaten in straight sets, Kyrgios admitted his preparation and willingness to fight through matches wasn’t up to scratch.
But, for all Kyrgios’ failings, the key factor was the performance of Murray, who found a flawless mix of patience and aggression.
He now faces 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic in the quarter-final.
The semi-final also had an odd denouement when both players had to wait for a Hawk-Eye decision on a ball that was erroneously called out, though Murray also remembers it for an eye-watering moment when his French opponent was hit where it hurts at close quarters.
Andy Murray took out Robin Haase with his racquet and the Duchess of Cornwall with his sweatband as he stormed into the third round at Wimbledon.
Advertisement
Kyrgios, an admirer of Murray’s growing up, was brushed aside 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 after just one hour and 42 minutes.
