“I fought and gave everything I had, but thankfully it’s just been enough in the last two days”, Murray, who lost to Federer in straight sets in the Wimbledon semi-finals, told reporters.
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The top-ranked Serb rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the final set to a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 victory over David Goffin on Thursday, reaching the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open. With a record six titles to his name, defending champion Federer is practically W&S Open royalty.
The Serbian world number one ran into trouble when his 24-year-old opponent broke in the first game of the second set, which resulted in a frustrated Djokovic destroying his racket with three smashes against the hard court.
He is hoping to become the first man to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 championships in his career.
In quarter-final match, Federer will face Feliciano Lopez who upset his countryman eighth seed Rafael Nadal 7-5 4-6 7-6(3). She’s using the tournament as a final tuneup for the U.S. Open, where she’ll try to complete a Grand Slam sweep. “I was happy to get through that”.
Under pressure, physical or mental, Williams finds a way, even at 33 and with a portfolio bulging with achievements beyond any of her contemporaries.
The elbow is better, and so was Djokovic’s serve – 85 percent accuracy during the first set. “I know I can play so much better”.
“I think I just made a bad decision there”.
Murray gathered the last of his reserves to take the win, his 26th at the tournament which he won in 2008 and 2011.
Within the ladies’s draw, top-seed Serena Williams recovered from a set right down to beat Ana Ivanovic Three-6, 6-Four, 6-2.
So for Andy, I wouldn’t be that concerned going into New York, although if Roger gets his No. 2 ranking back that could be an issue!
Sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych, who routed Spain’s Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-1, and Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victor over Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz, will also square off on Friday.
Wawrinka, the reigning French Open champion, had to overcome 35 aces by Karlovic to reach the quarterfinals for the second straight year.
“I feel okay”, said Murray.
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Nearly got myself back in the match today, and I just didn’t return as well as I would have liked. “You make a decision and you have to roll on it”. He would consolidate with a hold to capture the opening set. But whatever magic her physio and/or fitness trainer did between then and the start of the W&S Open, she quietly scrapped her way all the way to the deciding match of this tournament as well.
