World number Andy Murray earned his ticket in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2014 tournament. The reigning Wimbledon champion ended the impressive run of lucky loser Stephane Robert of France 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2.
Murray fired 48 winners and he was definitely at his element today. However, there were flashes of great play from Robert as well. Robert lost in the qualifying rounds but luckily got a slot on the main draw after Philipp Kohlschreiber pulled out. His run in the fourth round of a Grand Slam event is now a record best for a lucky loser.
“In the tiebreak I didn’t lose concentration. I just missed a couple of shots, one just wide on a forehand I hit clean, just missed. My racquet bit the dust. Unfortunate for it,” Murray said, referring to a slight lapse in the third set.
Murray is now through to his 18th Grand Slam quarterfinal, and 12th in a row.
“I dominated 95 per cent of the match, and for 15 minutes didn’t close the match out. I was one point away from being in here and that being in here after a great performance to playing 15 minutes not perfect,” Murray said.
“But still created chances, even when I wasn’t playing so well at the end of that third set. And then, yeah, the fourth set was fairly comfortable. You know, I lost my serve once. I think he only had breakpoint on my serve in two games in the match possibly.
“So it was pretty good for the most part.”
Andy Murray has a tougher opponent in the quarterfinals. No less than 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will be waiting. It will be a highly anticipated match between two Grand Slam champions.
