Andy Murray reached his 10th Wimbledon Quarterfinal with a 7-6(1) 6-4 6-4 victory over Benoit Paire.
The key shot for Benoit Paire in this match was the backhand, which he uses to dictate his opponent from side to side. The Frenchman also has a big serve and uses ridiculous dropshots to keep the opponent moving. He used all three to frustrate his opponent and gain the advantage and break for a 2-1 lead. The Brit wasn’t one to back down and could see Paire’s predictability of dropshots from a mile away as he broke straight back for 2-2.
However the Paire backhand kept on firing and a dipping forehand sealed another break as Paire stormed to a 4-2 lead. Although Murray had struggled with his movement earlier in the set it gradually improved which helped him track down some difficult shots. Murray broke back to level the set at 4-4 as Paire was getting frustrated. In the eleventh game the erratic Frenchman saved two set points with bold net play to force a tiebreak. The Brit raced through the tiebreak to take it 7-1.
Murray started the second set with authority as he broke the Frenchman in the first game and raced to a 2-0 lead as Paire looked helpless. The big backhand from Paire was still making the Brit work hard as he tried to keep within touching distance of the defending champion.
In the sixth game Pair created two break point opportunities which he took thanks to a wicked backhand which the Brit was unable to get. However Paire’s concentration had dipped after that and a missed backhand volley sealed the break for Murray in the ninth game for 5-4. The world number one save four break points to wrap up the second set 6-4.
The third set started with both men holding comfortably as Paire was trying to control the rallies a little more. Murray’s serve was gradually improving and held him in good stead going into the latter stages of the third set. Paire was nailing that backhand hard but to no reward. Pressure told on the Frenchman in the ninth game as Murray broke for a 5-4 lead. The world number one held his nerve to record straight sets victory in 2 hours and 21 minutes.
After the match Murray praised his own performance, ‘I thought I played well today. By far the best I’ve played so far. He has one of the best backhands on tour, so I am pleased to get through this match.’ Andy Murray will now play either Kevin Anderson or Sam Querrey in his 10th Wimbledon Quarterfinal.
