He was broken again in the next game and Murray swiftly clinched the set.
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The second-seeded Scot’s straight sets win over a risky 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.
“The first set was good”.
It had been a tight match until the end of the first set when Kyrgios, as he so often does, began to lose his cool in south west London.
He added: “When things get tough, I’m just a little bit soft. I didn’t do that at all”.
Centre Court had expected fireworks between two of the great personalities of the game, but they were left with a one-sided encounter as Murray put on a masterful performance and Kyrgios ultimately capitulated. “I’ve got a game-plan”.
Kyrgios did not react to McEnroe’s criticism, but asked if he felt he was applying himself the best he could, he replied: “No”.
Kyrgios, the 15th seed, who was fined a total of $6,500 for outbursts during the tournament, did little to help his case in a moody press conference.
Murray conceded that Kyrgios had erred at times, although he didn’t comment specifically on the way the 21-year-old had hit out at an umpire and reporters on Friday. “But Andy, I don’t know, it’s different”. I thought I was playing some really good tennis.
Kyrgios has made plenty of progress throughout the past year, and despite one journalist already asking him about the possibility of leaving the sport after losing in the fourth round of Wimbledon to the second best player in the world, he clearly has enough talent to sustain an acceptable career whatever he chooses. Is that the greatest preparation? I don’t know. But it was fun. He has said he can be fired up by some of the issues he becomes embroiled in on court but Cahill was more concerned about his conduct during play. But it’s just disappointing. “I don’t really know a coach out there that would be pretty down for that one.” he said, admitting to enjoying the freedom of doing as he pleases.
But, for all Kyrgios’ failings, the key factor was the performance of Murray, who found a flawless mix of patience and aggression.
His mood was best summed up when, cutting a forlorn figure midway through the third set, Kyrgios said: “Absolutely, so suck”.
Murray was joined in the quarter-finals by Roger Federer, who is the only other man not yet to have dropped a set.
Reigning women’s champion Serena Williams, meanwhile, remained on course for a seventh Wimbledon title by crushing Germany’s Annika Beck 6-3, 6-0 on Centre Court.
Dominika Cibulkova, meanwhile, will postpone her wedding, scheduled for finals day on Saturday, if she beats Elena Vesnina.
“I play Tsonga next who is a top grass-court player and I’ll need to play very well to win that one”.
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Murray shrugged off growing expectations that he can win a third major after the shock defeat of top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.
