The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAndy Murray has reached the quarter-finals of the US Open as the Brit produced a imperious display to ruthlessly crush Grigor Dimitrov 6-1 6-2 6-2. The world number two was in ominous form as he thoroughly outclassed his opponent and dominated the contest to cruise into the next round.
In the opening set, Murray was forced to save break points in his first service game but the Brit survived and then was gifted the break at 2-1 up when Dimitrov netted an overhead smash. The world number two quickly consolidated the break and struck again in the following game, seizing the double break with a scintillating backhand passing shot winner down the line to establish a commanding 5-1 lead. Dimitrov was struggling in the extended rallies to match his opponent, as Murray emphatically wrapped up a dominant set of tennis with an ace to take the lead.
As the second set unfolded, Murray remained too strong in the baseline exchanges and the Brit made the perfect start, outmanoeuvring the Bulgarian before finishing off with a cross court forehand winner to break Dimitrov in the first game of the set. The world number two was serving with tremendous power and accuracy as he consolidated the advantage and continued to extract enough errors from the Bulgarian to break again for a 3-0 margin. Even though Murray conceded his serve to allow Dimitrov to claim one break back, an error strewn game from the Bulgarian was punctuated with a costly double fault to hand back the world number two the double break lead. Murray held for a 5-1 advantage and despite Dimitrov saving set points, the Brit eventually closed out the set on his own serve to open up a two set cushion.
In the third set, Dimitrov was under pressure as he couldn’t handle Murray’s solid tennis and as a result, the Brit once again gained the early break. The world number two needed to save break points before holding his serve, and even though the Bulgarian was looking to take the initiative in the rallies, Murray’s defence was too strong and the Brit seized another break in style by slamming a cross court forehand winner into the corner whilst on the run. The world number two was unrelenting as he continued to dismantle his opponent to forge 4-0 ahead, whilst Dimitrov was virtually unable to make any impression on the Brit’s serve. Even though Dimitrov managed to register two games, Murray went on to wrap up the masterclass and secure his place in the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-finals, Murray will meet Kei Nishikori as the former finalist impressively saw off big server Ivo Karlovic 6-3 6-4 7-6.
As for the other Brits, Kyle Edmund’s thrilling run came to an end as he lost 6-2 6-1 6-4 to defending champion Novak Djokovic, whilst Johanna Konta battled hard but went down in a 6-4 7-5 defeat to Anastasija Sevastova.
Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka moved through to the quarter-finals with a four set victory over Illya Marchenko, and the Swiss will face Juan Martin Del Potro as the 2009 champion was leading Dominic Thiem 6-3 3-2 when Thiem was forced to retire with an injury. Also, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overcame home hope Jack Sock 6-3 6-3 6-7 6-2 and the Frenchman will meet Djokovic in the next round.
However, the huge shock on the men’s side came when Lucas Pouille edged out two time champion Rafael Nadal in a dramatic 6-1 2-6 6-4 3-6 7-6 victory. The Frenchman managed to recover down an early break in the fifth set before eventually converting on his fourth match point with a forehand winner in the tie-break to seal a stunning win. Pouille will face his countryman Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams notched a record 308th grand slam victory by easing past Yaroslava Shvedova 6-2 6-3 and the world number one will take on Simona Halep next, as the Romanian progressed in straight sets. Angelique Kerber and Roberta Vinci also secured comfortable wins, whilst Caroline Wozniacki eliminated Madison Keys 6-3 6-4. However, Venus Williams suffered a narrow three set defeat to Karolina Pliskova, but Ana Konjuh caused an even bigger upset as the young Croatian stunned Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.
