Murray hitting his peak
ANDY Murray has paid tribute to victims of terror after the best display of a previously stuttering French Open crusade, posting his 650th career win by toppling young Russian Karen Khachanov in straight sets.
In questionable form pretournament after missing several events with shingles, Murray ousted the unseeded Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
The Scot was given a standing ovation after using his oncourt post-match interview with former player Fabrice Santoro to “share thoughts and prayers with everyone who has been affected” by attacks in London and Manchester in the past two weeks that have claimed 29 lives.
“Obviously there was a ter- rible tragedy in London, and in Manchester six or seven days ago,” Murray said.
“Paris has had its problems, too, in recent years.
“I am sure everyone will join me . . . we share our thoughts and prayers with everyone who has been affected.
“It’s obviously something that has affected large parts of Europe.
“I appreciate everyone still coming out to support the tennis — I am grateful I can still perform in front of everyone.”
Murray, renowned for deep sensitivity behind his gruff exterior, survived the 1996 school massacre in Dunblane, in which 18 people died.
The world No.1 needed four sets to tame Andrey Kuznetsov and Martin Klizan in the opening two rounds before hitting his straps against Juan Martin del Potro and Khachanov.
Murray was eliminated in the Barcelona semis, the third round in Monte Carlo and Madrid and his opening match in Rome, sapping his confidence.
But there was clear evidence he was back to his best as he dismantled Khachanov’s huge weapons to safely advance.
With 29 winners and only 14 unforced errors, Murray was simply too clean for impetuous Khachanov, who fired 34 winners but also had 38 unforced blunders.
The win elevated Murray into his seventh Roland Garros quarter-final, the fourth most last-eight appearances of any present player behind Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who all have 11. Murray will play Kei Nishikori for a semi-final berth after the Japanese gun overwhelmed Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.