Audio By Carbonatix
Andy Murray survived some nervous moments to beat Mikhail Youzhny and reach the quarter-finals on another day of drama at Wimbledon.
The second seed won 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 to make the last eight for the sixth year in a row at the All England Club.
He is now the only Briton remaining in the singles after Laura Robson lost to Estonia's Kaia Kanepi on Court One, and will face Spain's Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday.
Murray had arrived on Centre Court as the crowd were still digesting Serena Williams's surprise loss to Sabine Lisicki, but the Scot was not about to suffer a similar fate.
He was in danger of being drawn into a lengthy battle in an edgy second set, but came through in the tie-break and wrapped things up after two hours and 37 minutes.
A straightforward afternoon seemed to be unfolding when Murray played a terrific game that included a deft half-volley, a deadly backhand lob and a brilliant forehand pass, to lead by a set and a break.
What followed was distinctly unimpressive, however, with his second serve coming under attack from the Russian 20th seed.
When Murray double-faulted to drop serve for the second game in succession and then fell 5-2 behind, he was under real pressure for the first time in the tournament.
Youzhny, playing in the last 16 at Wimbledon for the eighth time, had his chance to level when he served for the set, but after seeing off two break-back points he could do nothing about a Murray forehand on the third.
The Scot was still searching for consistency, and another double-fault saw him change ends 4-2 down in the tie-break, but the most delicate of drop shots shifted the momentum.
Murray cracked a cross-court backhand winner on set point and, after Youzhny received treatment on his shoulder, the third set was a one-sided affair.
The Russian tamely handed over his serve in the second game and Murray broke for the fifth time before sealing victory with a blistering forehand and a serve-volley.
"It was a tough match, the first couple of sets especially, but once I got ahead in the third I concentrated hard on not letting him back in like I did in the second set," Murray told BBC Sport.
"I don't take anything for granted. I know how hard these tournaments are to win. There are no guarantees here and I don't come into them thinking I am going to win.
"I think a few rounds ago I was more nervous, but today I felt calmer before the match.
"I just concentrate on each game. Serena lost today; Roger has lost and Rafa has lost, so you cannot take anything for granted."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Joy FM Party in the Park kicks off as patrons flock in amid growing excitement
6 minutes -
Ghana, 2 others to see strong absolute growth in electricity consumption – Fitch Solutions
22 minutes -
Return to bond market on gradual basis – IMF to government
46 minutes -
Activist Felicity Nelson brings Christmas comfort to Accra Police cells
55 minutes -
Obuasi Bitters Luv FM Nite with the Stars Thrills Kumasi on Christmas Eve
55 minutes -
4 banks including one state bank remain severely undercapitalised – IMF
1 hour -
Police arrest 28-year-old with 98 parcels of suspected cannabis in Tamale
1 hour -
Does Goldbod owe BoG US$214m, or has BoG lost US$214m? A policy and financial risk analysis
4 hours -
US Congressman says airstrikes first step to ending killings in Nigeria
4 hours -
Afenyo-Markin urges NPP to move from talk to action after 2024 election loss
4 hours -
Ghana’s 69th Independence Day Concert in UK to be held on March 7 – Sleeky Promotions
4 hours -
BoG’s international reserves could cross $13bn by end of 2025
4 hours -
Afenyo-Markin urges discipline, unity as NPP prepares for 2026 flagbearer primary
4 hours -
Haruna Iddrisu demands tough sanctions for officials implicated in galamsey
6 hours -
‘Opoku-Agyemang is very capable of leading the country’ – Haruna Iddrisu
6 hours
