By Tony Fairbairn
- Andy Murray [WC] def Pedro Cachin 2-6 7-5 7-6(3)
- Murray v Sebastian Korda | H2H: First Meeting
GIJON, SPAIN – Andy Murray edged past Pedro Cachin in a last set tiebreak to reach the quarter-finals in Gijon where he will face talented American Sebastian Korda.
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Andy Murray [WC] def Pedro Cachin 2-6 7-5 7-6(3)
Andy Murray survived a second round scare against Pedro Cachin to reach the quarter-finals in Gijon. Murray made a poor start to the match as he lacked aggression with Cachin dominating the long rallies and forcing the Brit to play well behind the baseline. After breaking in the opening game, Cachin survived a long second game that had seven deuces in it to take a 2-0 lead.
Murray overcame the slow start to finally gain some momentum and rhythm on serve but the Brit remained passive throughout the opening set as he failed to open up the spaces against Cachin’s resilient defence. Another poor game from the Brit handed the Argentinian a double break lead at 4-1 and virtually the set as another long game followed in the next game. The Brit was ultimately punished for his lack of cutting edge on both serve and return as Cachin took the opening set 6-2 in 58 minutes.
There was a consistent energy to Murray’s play in the second set with the Brit surviving an early test on serve but for the most serve was more effective and productive on serve. Cachin couldn’t predict Murray’s service patterns in the second set and was forced to save a break point in the eighth game as the Brit turned up the aggression in the second set.
Despite Cachin’s grinding defensive skills, Murray found a bit of quality when it mattered towards the end of the second set as the Brit played a brilliant return game to break and take the second set 7-5.
In the final set, Murray once again lacked intensity and ruthlessness as his level dipped with Cachin grinding out the early break. However unlike the opening set, there was a response from Murray as he knew he couldn’t afford to lose this match as the break deficit was restored. A similar pattern followed in the fifth and sixth games as Murray lacked control in both passive and aggressive play.
After another sharing of breaks, both players settled down and serve efficiently with neither player finding their consistent level on return. In the end a tiebreak would dictate the winner of the match and Murray avoided a damaging loss by playing a flawless tiebreak to limp towards the last eight in Gijon.
Andy Murray [WC] v Sebastian Korda H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Andy Murray [WC] v Sebastian Korda | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Gijon | Gijon, Spain |
| Indoor Hard | Prize Money: €18,495 |
| Fourth on Pista Central (17:00 BST) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
A tricky task awaits Murray in the quarter-finals as he takes on talented American Sebastian Korda.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Andy Murray (WR 48) | Sebastian Korda (WR 47) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 59.9 | 62.8 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.6 | 78.8 |
| Break Points Saved % | 57.2 | 62.1 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 55.6 | 49.9 |
| Break Points Converted % | 40 | 41.7 |
Korda has been the more efficient player on return but Murray has improved on serve and will be confident about his chances heading into this match.
Playing styles and prediction
Korda earned a big win over Roberto Bautista Agut in the last round as the American looks to end his inconsistent season on a high. The American’s big serve mixed with impressive athleticism sees him as one of the most talented players on the tour with big things expected of him in the next few years.
Murray will need to have a lot of intensity and will need to maximise his potential on serve to have any chance here. Korda will look to punish the Brit on return and will look to make Murray create all the power in order to force clumsy errors. If Murray plays anywhere near the level he showed against Cachin then he will lose comfortably but this could be a tight match given both players have solid defensive skillsets.
Prediction: Korda in three sets.
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