Murray sets up date with Federer

| Tuesday January 21, 2014 16:11

After four months away from the tour to rest his aching back, he could be forgiven a little impatience as he searched for his best tennis.

And there was plenty of it in a whirlwind start, as he won nine games in a row to have the Frenchman reeling under the weight of his crushing ground strokes. For a while, Murray’s racket could do no wrong.

Robert, a lucky loser added to the draw with 10 minutes to spare when Philippe Kohlschreiber withdrew, was determined to make the most of the experience.

In the latter stages of a match that might have ended far sooner than it did had Murray played with more diligence, there were flashes of frustration from the world No4, as he castigated himself continually for hurrying his shot. After squandering four match points at the end of the third set, he smashed his racket, a rare site.

He beat the 33-year-old Robert – whom he remembers from his early days on the tour but probably will not want to see again for awhile – 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2 in two hours and 42 minutes. Murray was relieved to get the job done and will need to rediscover some calm if he is to advance in the tournament. Murray will now face Roger Federer who defeat Jo Wilfred Tsonga in straight sets.

(The Guardian)