By Niall Clarke
- Andy Murray defeats John Isner 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.
- The Brit will play Tomas Berdych next
- Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka also score victories.
Shanghai, China- Andy Murray came from a set down to defeat John Isner in three sets to book his place in the quarter finals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters.
The British number one lost the opening set tiebreak, but rallied back to defeat his American advisory (4)6-7, 6-4, 6-4.
The first set went by without a single break point, but Murray lost a crucial mini break in the opening set tiebreaker allowing Isner to take the lead.
The world number two began to read the serve of the world number 13 and earned break point chances in two games before finally converting at 4-4. Murray had trouble serving it out, facing two break points, but he saved them both and levelled the match on the first set point.
The Brit would apply the pressure again early in the second, but big serves from the 6’10 American meant he held on. Murray was not to be denied, and a break at 3-3 was enough for the third seed to go on and take the match.
Murray now moves to 5-0 against the 30 year old in the head to head.
He will meet Tomas Berdych in the last eight after the Czech was successful against last year’s runner up Gilles Simon. The world number five pulled through in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Novak Djokovic’s dominant form continued as he lost only five games to Feliciano Lopez. The world number one was astute, as always, in defence and ran away a 6-2, 6-3 victor. Bernard Tomic will meet the Serb in the Quarter finals after a battling three sets win over Richard Gasquet. The Aussie battled past midnight, but came through 6-3, (1)6-7, 6-4.
Rafael Nadal appears to be heading back towards his best form after a fine straight sets win over Mils Raonic. The Spaniard seemed to be hitting his forehand with more conviction as he came through 6-3, 7-6(3).
His next opponent, Stan Wawrinka, had to work harder for his victory, needing three sets to overcome Marin Cilic. The Swiss was unconvincing, but got the job done 7-5, (7)6-7, 6-4.
The final quarter final will be contested by Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Kevin Anderson. The Frenchman beat Roger Federer’s conqueror Albert Ramos Vinolas (5) 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, whilst Anderson defeated Kei Nishikori in two tiebreak sets.
Play will resume tomorrow at 6:30 AM BST with Anderson vs Tsonga. Murray is scheduled last on stadium court.
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