• Wimbledon

Murray charges into second week at Wimbledon

ESPN staff
June 27, 2014
Andy Murray next faces Kevin Anderson in the fourth round at Wimbledon © Getty Images
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Andy Murray charged into the second week of Wimbledon with a 6-2 6-3 6-2 demolition of Roberto Bautista Agut on Centre Court.

The defending champion needed just 95 minutes to set up a last-16 meeting with Kevin Anderson at the All England Club.

"He's the best opponent I've played so far, being seeded," said Murray. "It was a step up and I felt like I responded well. There were a few things I could do better but it's been a good first week. I can now rest up and be fresh for Monday.

"He's won a lot of matches lately and won a tournament in Holland [the Topshelf Open]. He's made a lot of improvements. He fights extremely hard. There were a lot of close games and long points at the end. I just managed to hang in and get it done in straight sets.

Brotherly love?

Judy Murray arrived just in time on Centre Court to see her son Andy win © Getty Images
  • The Murray family were celebrating a double as Andy followed brother Jamie by winning his match on Friday.
  • However mum Judy was nowhere to be seen on Centre Court until just before her son wrapped up the win, with it transpiring she had gone to watch Jamie's second-round doubles victory with Australian partner John Peers on No.2 Court - and Andy wasn't best pleased.
  • "It's a pity my family don't watch me, Jamie is the No.1 son," he quipped. "That's why I'm so competitive - he's the priority! My brother's always been the favourite so my family all went to watch him."

"I've had enough long matches at the French Open to get physically ready for the long matches here. You're going to get tested at some point. You've got to be prepared.

"Kevin will be a tough opponent, he's like Roberto, playing the best tennis of his career with his highest ranking. He's made improvements this year. He's a big guy with a big game, so I'm going to have to be really sharp and return well."

It was expected that Murray would be facing a step up in class following his comfortable first and second-round victories and Bautista Agut certainly gave that impression early on by taking the first two points on Murray's first service game, before the defending champion held for 1-1.

Some brilliant defence from Murray, as he clawed out a passing forehand winner on the stretch, brought him three break points with Bautista Agut then netting.

Another break for 5-2 saw Murray serve for the first set, which he duly wrapped up in 27 minutes.

Murray broke in the third game of the second set before wrong-footing Bautista Agut to take the second of three more break points for 5-2.

Bautista Agut did manage to slow Murray's charge by taking his first break point of the match and saving three set points. Murray wrapped the set up at the fourth time of asking, however, with a deft backhand volley at the net.

Things looked bleak for the Spaniard, who had never come back from two sets down in his career, and became even bleaker when Murray broke him twice more for a 4-0 lead in third set.

As in the second set, Bautista Agut pulled a break back but Murray took his fourth match point to close out the win on his opponent's serve.

Murray next faces Anderson, who outlasted Fabio Fognini of Italy 4-6 6-4 2-6 6-2 6-1.

Anderson, who won 10 of the last 11 games, is the first South African to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Wayne Ferreira in 2000. He's made the same stage at his past three grand slams.

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