Murray sets up ‘Ashes’ clash Down Under
Murray ousts SW19 conqueror Dimitrov to set up ‘Ashes’ clash
Midnight had come and gone and Australia was already celebrating its national day when a fortuitous net cord sealed Andy Murray’s place in the last eight of the country’s grand Slam.
the festivities will be over by the time he faces nick Kyrgios in tomorrow’s Australian Open quarter-final but, regardless, he will have to contend with a wave of patriotic support for the gem they have uncovered in the flamboyant 19-year-old.
After enduring a tedious on-court interview with another self-appointed comedian — he wanted to know if Murray would be wearing a kilt on his wedding day — the 27-year- old Scot scuttled off court to consider more pressing matters.
he had just taken three hours and 32 minutes to beat the hugely gifted Bulgarian grigor dimitrov 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5, while Kyrgios was on court two minutes longer in mounting a heroic comeback to beat Andreas Seppi — the italian who knocked out Roger Federer — 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 8-6.
On Rod Laver Arena, Murray got a taste of the kind of atmosphere that awaits as his match was held up for nearly a minute by cheering as news filtered through from the other end of the site that the Aussie youngster had won. Both their victories were hard-earned, with less than 48 hours to recover before they re-enter the fray.
Murray stated afterwards that he had not felt as fresh in a long match since having back surgery, and — sheepishly — also put it down to the new compression garments he is wearing from his new clothing sponsors.
in terms of sustained quality of performance, it was probably as well as he has played since winning Wimbledon 18 months ago, although some wavering on break points dragged his overall marks down.
Murray was certainly transformed from the lacklustre figure who drooped out of the Wimbledon quarter-final against dimitrov last summer, bristling with the kind of aggression he will need to subdue the cocksure Kyrgios.
the Ashes theme will play between now and then, although Murray’s 10-0 career record over Australian players does not have a great deal in common with the recent efforts of the England cricket team in parallel contests.
in any case, Murray was keen to distil the forthcoming match to its purer elements, rather than cast himself as a slayer of Australian dreams.
he said: ‘this has nothing to do with breaking anyone’s hearts. it’s not what i plan to do. i plan on trying to beat nick, beat the guy on the other side of the net. Obviously the crowd will be right behind him and that’s something i’m going to have to deal with my way.
‘ i’ve played in the French Open against French players when the crowd can be very difficult. i’ve experienced it before so hopefully i’ll deal with it well.’
the nearest Murray came to baiting his opponent was pointing out the difference in their personalities at the age of 19. the Scot was somewhat shy and awkward then, while Kyrgios’s personality matches the explosive nature of his game.
‘it’s different to when i was 19,’ said Murray. ‘he’s more confident than i was. i didn’t feel like i was going to win these events when i was his age but i read a few weeks ago that he felt like he could win the Australian Open this year.
‘ So he obviously backs himself a lot and when the crowd are behind you it makes a difference, especially if you are a bit fatigued.’
Murray is clearly delighted with his own physical shape, adding: ‘ i felt completely different to how i felt at the US Open last year or even here last year when i played a long match, especially in cold conditions. it is like night and day.’
Perhaps we are seeing a dividend from the coaching of Amelie Mauresmo after their first proper off- season together.
While Murray was hardly all over the net like a rash, there was real attacking intent in the way he hit his forehand, and the backhands down the line were another pointer to a more aggressive mindset. ivan Lendl might even have cracked a smile.
And it was all executed amid the pressure of a grand Slam fourth round, against a gloriously talented opponent who is a wondrous ball-striker and far more durable than he used to be. dimitrov hung in admirably in the second set and was rewarded when Murray slipped up from 6-5 ahead and serving.
he got ahead for 5-2 in the fourth set but from there onwards the Scot hardly missed a ball, so frustrating the 23- yearold Bulgarian that he spectacularly smashed his racket in the penultimate game. Many of the rallies were exquisite and Murray will need to sustain that quality.
the other quarter-finalists in his half, Rafael nadal and tomas Berdych, are starting to look ominously strong, with the latter coached by Murray’s old mate dani Vallverdu.
What a fascinating semi-final that could be.