Andy Murray trounces Richard Gasquet to enter Roland Garros quarters – Tennis Special
Fourth seeded Brit, Andy Murray, took down the local star, Richard Gasquet, in a four-set thriller at the French Open 2012 on Monday. He nudged up a 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory against the 17th seed to power into the last eight at this second of
the four Grand Slam event held in Paris.
The world number four displayed top notch performance at this major red clay court tournament and bounced back from a set down to outrun Gasquet in their eighth meeting. After stealing the show, Murray not only avenged his defeat at the Internazionali BNL
D’Italia last month but also levelled the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head series by 4-4 against the former world number seven.
"I enjoyed myself on the court today," said Murray. "It's the most fun I've had on the court in a while, so I wasn't so sort of shying away from the fact that the crowd wanted me to lose."
The crowd favourite, Gasquet thundered into the Court Philippe Chatrier and drew the first blood in the second game to jump to a 3-0 lead. After Murray held his serve in the fourth game, the French stroke out the last three games and pulled out the opener
with a breadstick.
Murray sought the right track in the proceeding set and earned the critical break in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Despite squandering his edge in the very next game, he capitalised on another break chance in the last game and clicked the set with a
6-4 win.
The Scot perfected his break in the third game and went on a five-game killing spree before Gasquet could hold on. Murray then held his serve once again and registered a stunning 6-1 success.
The 25-year-old maintained his intensity in the fourth set and after breaking his rival’s serve twice, he leaped to a 5-1 lead. He then held his serve once more and clobbered a 6-2 score line.
Gasquet made a superb start and quickly bagged a breadstick. However, after he lost his serve in the last game of the second set, the French stepped off gas and eventually exited from the tournament.
"The game was not in my favour," the world number 20 reflected about the turning point at 5-4 in the second set. "And then I lost my confidence, and then he was feeling good. He was in the match. He was really tough to play against. He would make no mistakes
on such a big court. He was really a good fighter. It was very difficult for me."
Murray will advance to battle the world number six, David Ferrer from Spain. Ferrer crushed his compatriot, Marcel Granollers, with a bagel to set up this clash. The Scot needs to stay focus and fit in order to ease past his rival and inch towards his last
year’s best result in the final four.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: