Murray Advances in Four Sets

Andy Murray lost his first set of the Australian Open so far as he laboured to victory against Frenchman Stephane Robert 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-2.

Murray won the opening two sets before the Frenchmen hit back in a third set tie-break. However, Murray replied, sealing his place in the quarter-finals after winning the fourth.

Frustration was evident in Murray's game today as he attempted to get off the court quickly, making a number of errors in the process.

Robert was the lowest ranked player going into the fourth round. Having come into the tournament as a 'lucky loser', he was placed in the draw just 10 minutes before the deadline. With a self-descriptive style of 'casino tennis' Robert put on a show for the Melbourne crowd, firing big winners throughout the match.

Murray acknowledged his opponent afterwards, telling the Guardian, "He is a fun player to watch but not to play against. He made it very tricky for me. He's very unorthodox. You want to close these matches out quickly if you can, but he played very well."

The warning signs were there for Murray early on, saving a break point in the first game after a huge winner from Robert. However the fourth seed took control after this game, sealing the first set 6-1 in just 25 minutes.

He continued to dominate throughout the second set, winning the first four games in a row before Robert finally managed to claw one back. Nevertheless, it was all in vain as Murray claimed the second set 6-2.

Robert refused to go down without a fight, battling toe-to-toe with Murray in the third who lost the intensity held in the opening sets. The Scot broke to serve out the match at 5-3 but was broken back by the dogged Frenchman after missing two match points.

The set entered a tie-break and once again Murray had two points to end the match, both missed as Robert capitalized, winning 8-6 to take the match to a fourth.

Murray pulled himself together in the fourth, regaining his composure to claim it 6-2, making just three unforced errors all set.

In the quarter-finals Murray will face a blockbuster tie against Roger Federer after the Swiss overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three sets.

Published on SEaT Capital.