Wimbledon 2014: Andy Murray into quarter-finals after fourth straight sets victory

 
Perfect record: Andy Murray is yet to drop a set at Wimbledon 2014
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Eleanor Crooks30 June 2014

Andy Murray booked his place in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon without dropping a set so far as he saw off the challenge of towering South African Kevin Anderson.

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.

He began the second week at Wimbledon as he ended the first to take a one-set lead over Anderson in their fourth-round clash.

The reigning champion had dropped just 19 games in his first three matches and, although he did not have things all his own way against the 20th seed, he was comfortable enough in winning the set 6-4.

The roof, which had been shut for most of the preceding match, opened before Murray and Anderson walked onto Centre Court.

That would no doubt have pleased the Scot, who prefers playing outdoors, particularly when his opponent is a big hitter like Anderson.

Murray's great supporter Sir Alex Ferguson watched on from the Royal Box while his mother Judy was also there from the start this time.

Murray had joked after 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.

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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.

In the third game he brought up three break points and took the third when he teased the South African into sending a backhand long.

Murray could not take a chance to make it 5-2 but was showing off his full repertoire of skills and converted his second set point when Anderson netted a backhand.

Murray had been particularly vocal after winning big points in the first set, no doubt aware of the importance of not giving Anderson a sniff of a way back in.

Six break points went begging in the opening game of the second set but Murray kept forcing the issue and got his reward on the seventh when Anderson put a volley wide.

Drizzle began to fall and Murray complained about the slippery surface to the umpire, but it turned out to be in the third seed's interest to continue as he broke again to make it 3-0.

At that point the rain became heavier and play was suspended while the roof was shut again.

Murray made a bad start on the resumption, offering up his first two break points and losing the second when Anderson's shot clipped the top of the net.

Murray had the advantage of having played under the roof before, unlike Anderson, who was making his Centre Court debut.

The Scot nailed a backhand pass down the line to bring up a chance to restore his two-break lead but then netted a forehand and turned towards his support box clearly frustrated.

Anderson threatened a complete turnaround when he had a chance to make it 3-3 but Murray held on and then upped his game again.

From 30-0 on the Anderson serve in the ninth game, Murray played four excellent points and won the set 6-3 when he forced the South African to volley wide.

Anderson had shown throughout that he was about far more than just a big serve, his movement mightily impressive for such a tall man.

Murray still had the edge in the majority of rallies, though, and at 4-3 in the third set he had more chances to break the Anderson serve.

The Scot has focused on being ruthless this tournament after paying the price for profligacy at the French Open.

Too many break points had come and gone for his liking this time, and Anderson hung on to make it 4-4 despite five more.

The South African continued to hold steady all the way to a tie-break - the first time Murray had been pushed so far in a set all tournament.

He was two points away after a sublime forehand pass made it 5-3 but a 74mph second serve was punished and Anderson brought up the first set point with an ace.

Murray saved it with a fine serve of his own and then created a first match point, which he took thanks to two superb backhands after two hours and 33 minutes.

After the match, the British No.1 said, ""When it was outdoors, I played very well, I was in a good position.

"When we came back indoors he started to strike the ball a bit better, he started serving better and I was dropping the ball a little bit shorter than I was in the first set and a half so I had to do a bit more running.

"I got a bit tentative, but it was a good win because he was playing very well at the end, making it very tough for me."

Murray won an impressive 40 per cent of return points against the 6ft 8in big server, and he said: "You pretty much guess a lot of the time.

"Sometimes you go the wrong way, sometimes you go the right way. Thankfully today I picked a few good ones."

The crowd was noticeably noisier than in Murray's other matches, particularly at the biggest moments.

"I'm just trying to stay concentrated when I'm on court," he said.

"I don't worry about everything else that's going on outside of it, everything that's said. I just try to play tennis and not worry about the rest.

"But when you play in front of a crowd like that it gives you a big lift, raises your intensity and makes it hard for your opponents as well in tight situations. The crowd always help.

"It's good to get off in straight sets and now I can rest up and get ready for the quarters."

Murray is likely to play Queen's champion Grigor Dimitrov, who is having the best season of his career.

"All of the matches are tough," said the Scot. "Everyone that's in the quarter-finals of slams is playing top tennis, and I just have to do what I've got to do and concentrate on my side of the court.

"If I play well I'll make it tough for them."

Additional reporting by Standard Sport.

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