― Reuters picNEW YORK, Sept 6 ― It was the Labour Day holiday in the United States yesterday but Andy Murray came to Arthur Ashe Stadium ready to work, demolishing Grigor Dimitrov 6-1 6-2 6-2 to storm into the quarter-finals of the US Open.
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Murray was a class above against fellow seed Grigor Dimitrov, cruising to a 6-1 6-2 6-2 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium in NY.
Nishikori, who became the first Asian to reach a grand slam men’s final two years ago in Flushing Meadows, has had a strong season, including a run to the quarters at the Australian Open before falling to eventual victor Novak Djokovic.
“Sometimes”, Murray said, “the gun can be a bit wrong, possibly”.
“But I’ve never hit over 140, so I think it was lucky”.
The U.S. Open’s serve-speed readout board told the world that Andy Murray smacked a serve at 141 miles per hour. “I’ll need to play better than Saturday if I want to win”.
The second set was more competitive, but it was still clear who was the better player. “It’s definitely up there, I played well today, made very few unforced errors and made it tough for Grigor”. Venus, after winning the first set, looked in complete control of the match, but once Pliskova found her rhythm in her serve, the match turned, with the Czech entering the last eight of a major for the first time in her career after a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) win.
And he will face Kei Nishikori in the last eight as he continues his quest for a second US Open crown.
It all amounts to a fairy-tale return for Del Potro, who last made a major quarter-final three years ago and admits he was close to retiring before a final bout of surgery in 2015.
His fastest serve of the night clocked 141mph, which appears to be his quickest ever as the Grand Slam facilities allow for more accurate measurement than at other tournaments. “I don’t know why”, Murray said. Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open victor, has spent years battling his own wrist injury, but ironically it was his opponent, Dominic Thiem, who retired hurt to allow him progress to the quarter-finals in NY.
Murray, 29, faces Grigor Dimitrov in his fourth-round match at midnight BST.
The Japanese sixth seed, finalist two years ago, defeated Ivo Karlovic 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Del Potro had won the first set 6-3 and was up a break in the second. “It’s not only because I’ve been winning matches or anything like that”.
If both players perform like they did Monday, the fans could be in for a great match Wednesday.
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Still, the tough matches including a five-setter against Jeremy Chardy, and a four-set match against Joao Sousa should leave him in good stead and practice for this huge match.
