Andy Murray survives past Feliciano Lopez into the fourth round – US Open 2012
World number four, Andy Murray, passed his toughest test so far, as he defeated Feliciano Lopez of Spain in four sets 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4) at the last-32 stage of the US Open in New York.
The Brit entered the final Grand Slam of the season on the back of runners up performance at the Wimbledon Championships and Gold Medal winning at the London Olympics. The British number one, who lost four straight Grand Slam finals,
is looking to win first Major title of his career.
Talking about the latest match, Murray kept his head high throughout the match. Even after getting down in the third set, the Brit did not lost composure and bounced back to win the fourth.
There was no break of serve in the first set by either of the two players, taking the score to 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. There was nothing to separate these two in the first 10 points, as they squared off the score to 5-5
but then Murray grabbed two in a row to clinch it 7-6(5).
Murray and Lopez traded a single breakthrough in the second set, evening out the proceedings at 6-6 and taking it to a tie-breaker. Lopez raced to a 4-1 lead this time but the British star completely turned around the contest,
winning six of the next seven points to triumph 7-6(5).
In the third set, both players broke each other twice in the first eight games to level the score at 4-4. Lopez struck again in the ninth and held his subsequent serve to close it 6-4.
Fourth set went again to a tie-breaker and it was almost similar to the opener, as Murray and Lopez went on equal terms till 4-4 but then the Brit secured three points in a row to win 7-6(4).
Talking to the reporters after the match, Murray said, “The last few sets were tough. I just played a little bit better at the end of the tie-breaks, a little bit more solid than him, and that was the difference.”
The Brit added, “I think he served well. He went for big second serves. I wasn't getting as much depth on my returns because of that. Conditions can play a part in it as well. It was lively, quick conditions. His serve was bouncing
off the court a lot. It can be tough to control the returns… Sometimes you just have to find a way to get through. I did that today.”
Murray will take on the Canadian hope, Milos Raonic, in the fourth round.
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