Murray two good while Fed falters
AS Andy Murray stepped out into the gladiatorial surroundings of the Pietrangeli Arena yesterday afternoon, the gangways and steeped banks of Rome’s Foro Italico complex were alive with shocked murmurs and whisperings.
Such is the reaction any time Roger Federer makes an early exit at a tournament, even if it comes at the hands of a precocious Austrian who many regard as one of the sport’s biggest talents.
Federer’s 7-6, 6-4 third-round Italian Open exit to Dominic Thiem was not too surprising.
The Swiss is short of matches this year due to injury and almost pulled out the tournament with a stiff back. But it did ensure Murray will go into the French Open in 10 days having regained his world No 2 ranking, and gave him double reason to celebrate after dispatching Jeremy Chardy 6-0, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals here.
“I haven’t played well on clay for most of my career but I feel I’m finally getting used to the surface,” he said.
“Rome hasn’t always been the best tournament for me but I’m capable of playing pretty well here. I feel I can win it. And it’s always set me up well for Paris, the conditions aren’t too dissimilar.”
Twelve months ago Murray defeated Chardy in straight sets here and then pulled out with exhaustion.
Chardy admitted that annoyed him but he never looked like taking revenge. Despite a second-set blip, Murray was always far too solid for the erratic Frenchman.
Federer said he remained hopeful about his French Open chances despite his Rome disappointment.
“I’m a positive thinker and before this tournament I actually felt I could have a really good result in Paris,” he said. “Now I see my chances as not great for the most unbelievable run but if I can recover and maybe in three or four days’ time practise at 100 per cent then I believe something is still possible.”
The Swiss has not reached the semi-finals in Paris for four years but Murray cautioned against writing him off.
“Obviously Roger has had a few different problems and maybe he doesn’t feel at his best right now but he knows what it takes to do well,” he said.
Johanna Konta was ground down 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 by the resilience of Japanese Misaki Doi and admitted: “I didn’t do a good enough job of getting her out of her comfort zone.”