Australian Open 2011: Murray and Nadal reach quarters
Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray secure their places in the last eight with straightforward victories
British No1 Andy Murray kept up his fine form at the Australian Open to reach the quarter-finals after crushing world No11 Jurgen Melzer in straight sets in Melbourne.
Murray dictated play from the off, drawing his Austrian opponent all over the court as he raced to a 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 victory in just 103 minutes.
The Scot, who is yet to drop a set in Melbourne, was delighted with his triumph. “I am very pleased,” said Murray. “It was a match expected to be difficult but I was intense from the start and I dictated a lot of points on my forehand and didn’t make many mistakes.
“It was quite windy and I didn’t want to get behind in any of the sets. I enjoyed it in the end and it was one of those matches where everything I hit went right.”
World No5 Murray will now play the unseeded Alexandr Dolgopolov in the last eight after the Ukrainian upset fourth seed Robin Soderling 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
Dolgopolov is playing his first ever Australian Open but has already defeated top seeds such as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga along the way – and Murray knows he will have to continue his emphatic form to overcome his next opponent.
“If I keep playing like I am I will give myself a good chance to win matches,” he said. “It was one of the best I’ve played but I need to be switched on for the next match.”
Meanwhile, top seed Rafael Nadal joined Murray in the last eight with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory over the rejuvenated Marin Cilic.
Serving at 73 per cent Nadal looks in supreme form entering the later stages of the grand slam as fans look to a possible semi-final showdown Murray. But the world No1 will first have to overcome fellow countryman David Ferrer in the quarter-finals.
The Spaniard has been suffering with a virus since the New Year but on Monday said: “Today was the first day I felt perfect physically.”
World No2 Roger Federer faces fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday as third seed Novak Djokovic takes on Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych for a place in the semi-finals.
