Second seed Andy Murray fired a warning shot at Flushing Meadows on Monday as he brushed aside 22nd seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
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Rain began to spit down on court before the final game, but nothing could halt Murray’s progress as a wide forehand confirmed Dimitrov’s exit in a brisk two hours and one minute.
The No. 6 seed Nishikori reached a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time since he was the U.S. Open runner-up two years ago.
For good measure, Murray sent down his fastest ever serve of 141mph (226.9km/h) at the end of a set where he allowed Dimitrov just five points on his service.
“I served one at 145mph in San Jose once but the next day they recalibrated the gun because it was completely wrong”, he said.
“I don’t think he started the match really badly”, Murray later told a media conference.
“I have played well against him in the past but he likes these conditions”, said Murray. When I did win a first set that was tight, didn’t play my best, I kind of let him back into the match after I got a break early in the second. I enjoy it in here [on Arthur Ashe Court], fantastic atmosphere. For sure I was a little bit overwhelmed to get out there, playing that prime-time match. I feel I’ve been doing really well the past five, six weeks, practicing-wise, winning a few good and close matches when I had to.
The last game of two-time major title victor Wawrinka’s victory was delayed while the crowd saluted the popular del Potro, who missed the U.S. Open the past two years because of three operations on his left wrist.
Earlier, Juan Martin del Potro had his easiest outing when No. 8 seed Dominic Thiem retired at 6-3, 3-2 with a right knee injury. He played some good stuff at the Olympics and won the bronze.
The Bulgarian capitalised on some second serves to earn two break points in the opening game but could do nothing about two big Murray serves. Andy right now is the best player out there.
“After the match he had a couple days ago, to come out and move like he did and work as hard as he did out there shows that’s a huge quality of his and it gets you a long way”, Murray said.
“It’s not like just because I’m working hard and them seeing it means they’re going to do it”.
Andy Murray of Great Britain after beating Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day eight of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. He’s playing really well.
“I don’t know why”, Murray said.
Dimitrov, however, ran into one of Murray’s best performances of the year and the Scot believes he is now back on track ahead of the quarter-finals. He beat Novak here.
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Evans and Edmund have been in sparkling form of late with the latter reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time with memorable wins over Richard Gasquet and John Isner at the US Open.
