Britain’s Andy Murray remains on course for a 4th Queen’s Club title after a hard-fought win over Fernando Verdasco in round 2. The top seed came through 7-5 6-4 against Spain’s world number 42 to reach the quarter-finals of the Aegon Championships.
He goes on to face Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, who managed to beat defending champion from Bulgaria, Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 7-6 (7-5).
“It was a tricky match,” the Scot told reporters.
“I was happy with the way I moved. It was a little bit better than the first match.”
It was the 28-year-old’s 11th win in 12 matches against Verdasco, stretching back to 2007, and their first meeting on grass since the Scot recovered from two sets down to win their Wimbledon quarter-final two years ago.
The 2013 Wimbledon champion appeared in complete command at Queen’s Club after Verdasco double-faulted twice in his opening service game, with Murray then thumping away a forehand on break point.
Verdasco got the break back in game 7, however, and the 3-time champion was made to toil on a warm afternoon.
A tie-break loomed at 6-5 before Murray was able to take control once again, increasing the pressure and converting his 3rd set point when Verdasco found the net.
The early stages of the 2nd set saw the top seed severely tested on serve, with Verdasco missing a backhand on break point in game one and Murray finding two aces as he recovered from 0-40 in game three.
Verdasco, 31, then snuffed out a fleeting chance for Murray at 2-1 with a forehand down the line and the left-hander held firm until game 10.
Serving to stay in the match, the Spaniard double-faulted twice and saved a match point before, facing a second, he saw two aces ruled out by net cords.
When Verdasco finally made a second serve, Murray attacked with a forehand return and the Spaniard dragged a wayward backhand well over the baseline.
Muller earlier hit 19 aces to knock out Dimitrov, and the Bulgarian sixth seed joined former winner Rafael Nadal and French Open champion Stan Wawrinka as early casualties at Queen’s Club.
“I’ve been coming here for a long time and it was my first time on Centre Court,” the 32-year-old, ranked 48th, told BBC Sport.
“It’s tough to beat that.”
Later on Thursday, Feliciano Lopez plays John Isner before Marin Cilic takes on Viktor Troicki.
Queen's Club: Murray with another win
No comments:
Post a Comment