Easy progress for Murray
Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:31
The Scot had just taken the second set to grab a 7/6 (7/3) 6-3 lead when Tipsarevic gestured the match was over, strode to the net and shook hands with his opponent.
Murray therefore progresses to the last-16 stage for the first time at Roland Garros, where he will play 13th seed Marin Cilic.
Murray was broken for the first time in the fifth game and then wasted two break-back opportunities in the next before finding himself 5-2 down when the Serbian flashed a forehand past him to break again in game seven.
Tipsarevic then got sloppy as Murray broke and then held, forcing the Serb to serve out the set. He had two chances to do so but he wasted both of them, and a sloppy forehand long handed Murray another break to make it 5-5.
The pair were both then broken again to take the set it a tie-break. Murray went 5-3 up and after Tipsarevic sent a backhand wide, Murray emerged triumphant from a lengthy rally on set point to take it 7-3.
Tipsarevic received treatment on his left thigh on the first changeover in the second set, after Murray had broken to go 1-0 up. The Serb continued though – and even went on to break back immediately – but it was clear he was not moving freely by that early stage.
The medics came out again after Tipsarevic had smashed a forehand wide to gift a second break to Murray.
The Scot was now full of confidence and was taking advantage of his opponent’s lack of movement, a clever drop-shot putting him 4-2 up.
Murray was comfortably in charge and when Tipsarevic lost his own serve to lose the second set 6-3 he quit immediately, ushering Murray into round four.
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