Andy Murray overcame some late resistance from Bernard Tomic to progress to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4), victory.
Going into the match the world No.2 had a dominating record. Murray has beaten Australian players 16 consecutive times and he has a win-loss of 13-1 against players playing in their home Grand Slam tournament.
The two-time Grand Slam champion endured a mixed start to the match. Firing a blistering forehand winner, Murray broke Tomic in the first game of the match to grab an early lead in the match. His early advantage was then squandered after a dropshot failed to go over the net during the fourth game to hand his opponent two set points. Tomic was able to convert after winning a lengthy rally between the two. Despite the blip, Murray responded once against be converting two breaks to charge to as 5-2 lead. Playing in front of his home crowd, Tomic kept battling on by saving a set point before regaining one of the breaks. Despite the encouraging signs from the Australian, it wasn’t enough to trouble Murray. The world No.2 took the set after a backhand slice from Tomic went into the net.
The roller coaster first set continued into the second with three consecutive breaks of service (one for Murray and two for Tomic). The second break of Tomic’s serve was a severe blow to the world No.17 as Murray took it to love. After grabbing that second break to lead 2-1, Murray dropped just four points on his serve to clinch a two-sets lead. During the second set the second seed produced only eight unforced errors (compared to Tomic’s 15) and 13 winners.
Tomic has never beaten Murray in her career, the Australian hasn’t even won a set against him. The Australian was visibly despondent on the court at the start of the third set, producing careless shots. A poor game allowed Murray to easily break for a 2-1 lead. It appeared that Tomic’s time was up, however, the world No.17 managed to regroup in the match by breaking back to level 2-2. Unexpectedly the break resulted in Murray facing a tougher opponent with Tomic suddenly playing his best tennis of the match. The 2015 Australian Open runner-up was forced to serve to stay in the set after a spectacular pick up shot at the net by Tomic put him ahead 5-4. The task of levelling up was no issue for Murray as both men embarked on a marathon game. Saving a break point during his 5-deuce service game, Tomic held his nerve with a smash at the net to keep himself in the match as a tiebreak approached.
Unlike the majority of the third set, there was a noticeably bigger gap between the two players. Two consecutive unforced errors from Tomic handed Murray the early lead of 3-1. As the Australian began to tire the errors mounted, enabling Murray to lead 6-2. The Brit failed to convert his first two break points before it was third time lucky after a Murray serve forced his opponent to return it out.
In his 17th consecutive win over an Australian player, Murray produced 18 aces, 43 winners and 22 unforced errors. After his win over Tomic, Murray admitted that he wasn’t at his best.
“It was a tough match, both of us had our chances”. Murray said.
“i don’t think there was a period of the match where both of us were playing our best tennis. It was up and down”. He later added.
The world No.2 has endured a drama off the court. As well as the birth of his first child swiftly approaching. Murray’s father-in-law, Nigel Sears, was admitted to hospital two days ago after feeling unwell. Since then he has been discharged. He admitted that it has been a tough couple of days for him.
“The last few days were very tough a lot of emotions, things changing all over the time in my head. It has been a stressful few days”. He said.
Next up for Murray will be David Ferrer, a player who he has beaten in 12 out of their 18 previous meetings. Despite leading the head-to-head, the world No.2 is aware of how dangerous Ferrer could be.
“It’s not going to be an easy match, he is going to make you work hard”. Murray concluded.
Murray joins compatriot Johanna Konta in the last eight of the tournament. It is the first time since 1977 that Great Britain has had players in the last eight of both the men’s and women’s draw at a Grand Slam.
