Murray set for Isner examination in fourth round
Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:53
Andy Murray will bid to post his best ever showing at the Australian Open against John Isner after a convincing 7-5 6-1 6-4 victory over Florent Serra sealed his spot among the last 16.
The world No.5, who is yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament, has never been beyond the fourth round in Melbourne, and knows he faces his sternest test yet in the form of the 6’9” American who beat No.12 seed Gael Monfils.
Isner, bumped up to No.33 in the seedings after Gilles Simon’s late withrawal, reeled off 26 aces and hit 73 winners on his way to a 6-1 4-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) win against the Frenchman, taking his career head-to-head record to 3-1 in the process.
“He gives guys a lot of problems – he’s 6’9” with a huge serve”
“He gives guys a lot of problems,” said Murray about his fourth round opponent, who titled for the first time in Auckland just before heading to Melbourne. “He’s 6’9” with a huge serve.”
US Open champ Juan Martin del Potro rode the emotions of the Rod Laver Arena audience on his way to a 6-3 0-6 6-4 7-5 win over Florian Mayer.
The crowd helped me a lot to give fight,” said the Argentine, who has been nursing a wrist injury in the early rounds. “I wanted to be alive a few more days here in Melbourne.
The 21-year-old No.4 seed lost in the quarter-finals to Roger Federer last year, but – injury permitting – is viewed as a real contender after his New York triumph.
Asked if anything felt different this year, del Potro laughed, held open his arms and said: I feel bigger!
My life hasnt changed too much, he added. Of course, its beautiful, you get up, see the trophy of the U.S. Open. But you want more.
A fourth-round victory could set up a quarter-final showdown with Andy Roddick, who overcame a spirited Feliciano Lopez to win 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 7-6(3).
The only thing that matters, youre just trying to get through, and that happened, Roddick said after securing the only two breaks of the match to clinch the second and third sets. So no complaints.
Things don’t get any easier for the former world No.1 in the next round, where he faces 2007 finalist Fernando Gonzalez.
The Chilean, backed by a vociferous partizan crowd on Melbourne Park’s Showcourt 2, beat Evgeny Korolev in a marathon 6-7(5) 6-3 1-6 6-3 6-4 win played in stifling afternoon conditions.
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