By Niall Clarke
- Murray defeats Verdasco 7-5, 6-4 in Queens
- Will play Gilles Muller in the quarter finals
Andy Murray is through to the quarter finals of the Aegon Championships after a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Fernando Verdasco in Queens.
Murray, 28, got off to a flying start by breaking his Spanish opponent in the second game of the match. But the lead did not last long as Verdasco broke back at 4-2.
The match stayed on serve until 6-5 in the first set, where the applied pressure from the Brit finally tolled. Murray forced two set points, which were saved by Verdasco but third time was a charm for the Brit who clinched the first set 7-5.
Verdasco began the second set the better player, applying huge pressure on the Murray serve. In his opening two service games in this set, the Brit had to save a combined total of four break points.
After saving them break points, Murray found himself with a break opportunity. Verdasco however saved it fell with a clean forehand winner.
As we edged towards the conclusion of the second set, the ever erratic Verdasco was showing the good, the bad and the ugly we have come to expect from his tennis.
But the bad came at the wrong time for the Spaniard, who squandered a 40-15 lead at 4-5 in the second to find himself match point behind.
The first was saved, as Murray’s slice backhand went wide, but on the second attempt the world number three was not to be denied. Another miss from Verdasco secured it for Murray, who will now continue his Queens quest against Gilles Muller on Friday.
Overall, it was not the best of performances by Murray but like in round one, he did enough to get the job done.
Verdasco played some great points, and some awful points, but we have come accustomed to that over the years. However, he is a dangerous opponent and Murray did well to pass this test whilst not playing his best tennis.
It could have gotten interesting in the early stages of the second set when the Spaniard had chances to break, but Murray saved them well and came through in the end.
The Brit now plays big serving leftie Gilles Muller in the quarter finals as his Wimbledon preparations continue on Friday.