It’s never straight forward when supporting Andy Murray but guaranteed
drama, tension and on this occasion increasing friction between the two players
saw the Brit recover from a set down against home favourite Richard Gasquet to earn
a 1-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory.
Murray’s 3-0 lead over Gasquet in grand slams included two
meetings where the Frenchman was two sets up. And with recent back problems seemingly
behind him Murray looked likely to again prevail.
However Gasquet is someone who is said to have never reached
his potential, as he showed his immense talents taking the ball on early to get
the opening break. Murray on the other hand looked flat and unprepared after a
long wait off court, missing a lot of balls in the net concluding a one sided
first set.
Murray, in danger of the match running away, regrouped at the
start of the second set changing his racket tension to keep in touch with an
opponent brimming with confidence. An exchange of breaks then saw the match
locked at 4-4 before Gasquet’s mental breakdown swing the match in Murray’s favour.
After the on court scene revealed Murray clutching his back when losing a point
to the disgust of the Gasquet and the French crowd.
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| Murray came though Gasquet and the French crowd in Paris |
A double fault gifted Murray the second set as he seized
momentum never looking back, securing a double break in the third putting him
in complete control. Despite his talents in the mental battle Gasquet had lost,
as he made continuous errors showing why he hasn’t broke into the top five in
the world.
Murray unfazed by the hostile crowd produced some
exceptional tennis in the fourth set showing aggression and good touch to
further torment his opponent. The fourth seed now dominating most of the rallies
moving freely around the court as he sealed an eventful match.
Murray will now face Spaniard David Ferrer in the last eight
who is still yet to drop a set at this year’s championships, as Murray faces
another step up if he wants to claim his first gram slam.
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