Murray racked up his 50th Wimbledon match win as the world No 2 and new favourite to win the title edged closer to Sunday’s final.
Advertisement
The second-seeded Scot’s straight sets win over a unsafe opponent maintained his standing, following the shock third round exit of world number one Novak Djokovic, as the bookies’ odds-on favourite to lift the Challenge Cup again on Sunday.
He began to play erratically and surrendered the second set 6-1 as Murray took full control and began firing shots right across the court.
While his fiery temperament has been questioned, Kyrgios was a model of calm on Sunday – even shrugging off a time violation from umpire Pascal Maria when serving on match point.
“I mean, I know that I have the talent to do good things”.
Outspoken and polarising tennis player Nick Kyrgios will need to significantly alter his attitude into one that at least somewhat resembles that of a professional athlete trying to be number one, says Andrew Gaze.
The first set was a tight affair, with Kyrgios successfully landing 88% of his first serves.
He did manage to save two match points in the ninth game of the third set but was powerless to prevent Murray taking victory with an eighth ace of the contest.
“I don’t think anyone’s going to have the crowd on their side when they go out there against Andy”, he said.
“One week, I’m pretty motivated to train and play”.
“It was a good first set”, he said.
“But I know it’s a very long road to get better and get 100 per cent. I’m really looking forward to getting out there”, he said.
“A lot of people in the locker room now believe they can win it”. I lost to him at the US Open four sets, I played him in Hopman Cup, beat him there. Obviously it felt like a mountain to climb after losing the first. I think when things get tough, I’m just a little bit soft.
“You guys try and wind him up the whole time”, Murray said. “The player feels good hearing the voice that he knows he’s played his best tennis with, had Grand Slam success with, and if you walk a little taller and stand a little prouder in the big moments it makes a difference at that level”.
So it is to his credit that after beating another Australian, John Millman, in the third round, he offered a sympathetic take on the negative attention Kyrgios has attracted.
“I’m pretty much playing the ultimate competitor on grass”.
“[Murray] said sorry”, Kyrgios revealed of their conversation at the net after the match.
Andy Murray has found himself overshadowed at Wimbledon this year by the heroics of other British players and the shock exit of Novak Djokovic, and it was the same again on fourth-round day.
Advertisement
He needed just 24 minutes to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time after compatriot Richard Gasquet quit their fourth round match with a back injury. I just watch him.
