Sept.6: Serena Williams and Andy Murray booked their place in the quarter-finals of the US Open with thumping straight-sets victories in their respective events here at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.
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Stanislav Wawrinka, a two-time Grand Slam victor and twice a semi-finalist in NY, had the closest call, saving a match point in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/8), 6-2 victory over Britain’s Dan Evans.
Andy Murray delivered a resounding message about his credentials to win the US Open after the world number two demolished Grigor Dimitrov to reach the quarter-finals.
Murray was troubled early but was able to see of Paolo Lorenzi 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 6-2 6-3 in NY on Saturday.
“He’s obviously not played his best the last 18 months or so, but definitely the last few weeks has been playing very well and getting back to a level that he’s capable of playing at”.
But Murray was firing on all cylinders, rating the match that included a career high 141-mph ace to close out the first set as one of his best this season.
After dropping a set in the third round to Paolo Lorenzi of Italy, Murray was at the top of his game, producing 28 winners, just 23 unforced errors, and hitting a personal-best 141 miles per hour serve.
“When you win an ATP title at that age, maybe you realise, “I’m much better than I thought”. I just don’t talk to him about my tennis, but I didn’t used to talk to him about my tennis before he started coaching me either really”.
After a strong showing in Cincinnati where he would eventually fall to Marin Cilic, he has managed to advance to the fourth round even if it hasn’t been completely comfortable.
With just one game required, Murray still found time to argue with umpire Carlos Ramos at the changeover about spectators moving between points, while a brief rain shower passed overhead. “I’m not expecting to do it again”. Interestingly, the match at Wimbledon was the only one not on the hard court. I think we both know our game [s] pretty well.
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.
Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 champion, became the lowest ranked player in 25 years to reach the quarter-finals. “Now it’s more the strategic way, how you’re going to prepare for big matches, big tournaments”.
“I played extremely well, tactically I played a good match”, Murray said. Tonight was the first night when I’ve been in here and it’s been a little bit windy but it’s great conditions in here.
“I expected a tough match, I expected long rallies”, he said.
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He lost to No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Australian Open in January and French Open in June, before winning Wimbledon for the second time in July.
