Murray will play Richard Gasquet in the quarterfinals after the ninth seed – the only remaining Frenchman in the draw – beat world No. 6 Kei Nishikori.
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He is seeking to become the eighth man in the Open era, since 1968, to successfully defend the title in Paris. “I got lucky on his first set point when I guessed right on a short forehand”. Wawrinka squandered the first one but then took the set at the next time of asking.
Isner, meanwhile, was undone by Murray’s superior returning which contributed to his 57 unforced errors.
A backhand victor from Wawrinka – one of 14 from him in the match – broke Troicki to love in the fourth game of the third set, during which the Serb got treatment on his right leg and was given pills.
The 31-year-old Wawrinka has never lost to Ramos in six career meetings.
“It was a big battle, but I was able to stay calm and win this match”.
The Swiss third seed stepped on court shortly after nine-times champion Rafael Nadal unexpectedly pulled out of the tournament with a left wrist injury.
“I had lost four times in a row here so I am very happy”, said the shock victor who had also won just 4 matches in his entire career at the majors before coming to Paris.
He said: “The last time I played him on clay was a three-hour match in Belgrade [in 2010]. I think the cloudy conditions helped me as they made the court slower”.
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“I have no words to explain how I feel”, Ramos-Vinolas said. “He plays his own [style] of tennis”.
