Tennis: Andy Murray beat the rain today to make it to the Wimbledon quarter finals for the fifth successive year. The British number one had to battle interruptions caused by drizzle and downpours at SW19, playing his fourth-round match over two days.
But after another rain delay halted play today, he eventually clinched a straight sets win over Marin Cilic on Court One and will take on Spain’s David Ferrer tomorrow.
He gave his now-trademark gesture, pointing at the sky — which he has so far refused to explain — after winning the match.
Murray, speaking after today’s victory, agreed with last night’s All England Club decision not to move his match to Centre Court last night.
Some fans, including retired British tennis player Greg Rusedski, had argued the Scot, as the home hope, should have been scheduled on the main show court, which has a roof, so he could finish his match last night.
But Murray said: “I honestly don’t care which court I play on, but every player would rather play on Centre Court because it’s got a roof and you know you’re going to get your match in. I don’t deserve to play all my matches on Centre Court. Someone like Roger (Federer) does.”
Four weeks on from Murray losing at the same last-eight stage to Ferrer in the French Open, the pair will take to the grass for the right to face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Philipp Kohlschreiber in the final four.
Seventh seed David Ferrer beat Juan Martin del Porto beneath the roof on Centre Court, going through 6-3 6-2 6-3 to set up his first appearance in the last eight at Wimbledon.
The Spaniard held the upper hand throughout the first set as Del Potro struggled to find his range before cruising to a routine win over the Argentinian.
Ferrer, who has beaten Murray in their last two meetings, cast the Scot in the role of favourite ahead of tomorrow’s clash.
“Maybe he has more pressure than me because he plays at home with your people," he said. “I played him four weeks ago on a clay court and now I will play with him on a grass court. He’s the favourite player (to win) because he’s better than me, and tomorrow I will try to do my best. I will have to play my best tennis to beat him.”
Florian Mayer finished off Frenchman Richard Gasquet to line-up a quarter-final against top seed Novak Djokovic, who was a winner yesterday against fellow Serbian Victor Troicki.
Mayer claimed the first two sets before the Frenchman hit back in the third, but the German held on to win 6-3 6-1 3-6 6-2.
American qualifier Brian Baker’s Wimbledon debut ended today after he was beaten by another German in Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Kohlschreiber claimed the first set with ease, then clinched the second on a tie-break before easing to a straight-sets win, 6-1 7-6 (7/4) 6-3.