Emotional Murray enters French Open last eight with 650th win
World No 1’s early season problems with form and fitness seem to be behind him after his decimation of Khachanov
PARIS: Andy Murray racked up his 650th career win to reach the French Open quarterfinals on Monday where he was joined by 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka.
World number one Murray, the runner-up in Paris to Novak Djokovic in 2016, brushed aside Karen Khachanov of Russia 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
However, instead of discussing the match in the traditional on-court TV interview, Murray took the microphone to remember the 29 people who died in the recent outrages in London and Manchester.
REMEMBERING THE TRAGEDY
“Obviously there was terrible tragedy in London and Manchester. Paris has had its problems too in recent years,” said Murray.
“I am sure everyone will join me... we share our thoughts and prayers with everyone who has been affected.
“I appreciate everyone still coming out to support the tennis. I am grateful that I can still perform in front of everyone.”
Murray broke the serve of the 21-year-old Russian, playing in a Slam fourth round for the first time, on five occasions.
Before Monday, Khachanov had held serve for 48 successive service games.
NISHIKORI NEXT
In his seventh Paris quarter-final, Murray will face Japanese eighth seed Kei Nishikori who defeated 33-year-old Fernando Verdasco of Spain 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
Nishikori, a beaten quarterfinalist in Paris in 2015, has now made the last eight of a Slam for a seventh time, a record for a Japanese man.
Wawrinka, the third seed, booked a place in the quarterfinals for the fourth time with a comfortable 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 win over Gael Monfils, the last French player in the men’s draw.
Marin Cilic completed the quarterfinal line-up when South Africa’s Kevin Anderson retired with a thigh injury trailing 6-3, 3-0.
A FIRST FOR CILIC
It is Cilic’s first Roland Garros last-eight spot while he is the first Croatian to get this far since Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic in 2006.
Seven of the top seeds have made the quarter-finals with Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta playing the role of gatecrasher having knocked out fifth seed Milos Raonic on Sunday.
I appreciate everyone still coming out to support the tennis. I am grateful that I can still perform in front of everyone... we share our prayers with everyone who has been affected ANDY MURRAY, On the terror attacks that rocked Manchester and London