Wimbledon: Andy Murray makes it to quarterfinals

Defending champion digs deep to beat big-serving Kevin Anderson in straight sets

London: Andy Murray booked his place in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon without dropping a set as he saw off the challenge of giant South African Kevin Anderson yesterday.

Andy Murray returns to Kevin Anderson during their Wimbledon match in London yesterday. Pic/Getty Images.

After a flawless first week, this was certainly the defending champion’s toughest test but he passed it with flying colours, saving a set point in the third-set tie-break to win 6-4 6-3 7-6 (8/6).

Murray, who is likely to next meet Queen’s champion Grigor Dimitrov, had a minor blip early in the second set after the roof was closed but quickly adjusted to the indoor conditions. Murray had joked after mother Judy chose to watch his brother Jamie instead on Friday that he was overlooked as the number two son, but all eyes were on the Wimbledon champion this time.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at Wimbledon yesterday. Pic/AFP.

He could not have had a better first week but this was expected to be a step up, with 6ft 8in Anderson ranked 18th and having the best season of his career.

Murray has had good success against big servers, his exceptional return game helping to blunt the weapon, and he immediately had a good read on Anderson’s delivery.

Radwanska crashes out
Meanwhile, Ekaterina Makarova enjoyed a surprise 6-3, 6-0 victory over former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska as the Russian 22nd seed reached the quarter-finals at the All England club for the first time yesterday. Makarova had never been past the third round in her six previous appearances at Wimbledon, while Polish fourth seed Radwanska made the final in 2012, losing to Serena Williams, and then the last four 12 months ago.

Radwanska’s exit means three of the top four seeds have been eliminated from the women’s draw.

Top Results

Men:
. 4th round: Marin Cilic bt Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (10/8), 6-4, 6-4
. 3rd round: Stanislas Wawrinka bt Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-3, 6-4

Women:
. 4th round: E Bouchard bt Alize Cornet 7-6 (5), 7-5
. Petra Kvitova bt Peng Shuai 6-3, 6-2
. Barbora Strýcová bt Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 7-5
. 3rd round: Sabine Lisicki bt Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1

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