Murray says injury ‘ minor’ ahead of Karlovic clash

ANDY Murray is confident he can overcome shoulder soreness ahead of a Wimbledon fourth- round clash tonight with Croat serving phenomenon Ivo Karlovic.

Increasingly viewed as the player to beat for the title, Murray sent a scare through his legion of fans when he needed treatment in a rollercoaster win over Andreas Seppi. The Scot lost six games in a row before having treatment and steaming to a fourset triumph, claiming the injury is insignificant.

“It’s something I had the last two, three days. I only really feel it when I’m serving but it’s not something that’s of major concern to me,” he said.

“It’s stiffness and every time I finish a practice or anything, I have my back manipulated. The physio came on the court and said it was like a machine gun going off when he laid on top of me. Literally my back cracked a lot.”

Australian Sam Groth swept into Davis Cup calculations during a four- set loss to Roger Federer. A grasscourt revelation, Groth fired 21 aces and 47 winners. “Not just the serve but also the volley. He’s so dangerous and he’s also a good mover coming forward on the volley,” Feder said.

Groth believes the experience of jousting with Federer – and taking a set off the master grass-courter – proves he can climb into the top 50.

Groth was dismissive about his 236km/ h blast, the fastest serve delivered this season. “People ask me whether I was trying to break the record and I just say no,” he said.

“To be honest, it doesn’t really matter. It’s great that you get your name written somewhere, but I’d trade all of my records to win that match.”

Roberto Bautista Agut, Gilles Simon, Marin Cilic and Karlovic made it to the round of 16.