Andy Murray has eased into the quarter-finals of the French Open courtesy of a straight-sets victory over John Isner in a rain-affected match at Roland Garros this afternoon.
The world number two took just over two-and-a-half hours to battle past the American, eventually coming through 7-6(9) 6-4 6-3 to reach the last eight in Paris.
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Having made hard work of his opponents in the opening two rounds, being taken to five sets on both occasions, Murray began to show why he is the second favourite with victory over Ivo Karlovic in the last round, and he found himself up against another big-hitting opponent today.
The Brit found it difficult to make any headway on Isner's serve initially, with the only two break points of the first set going the way of the American.
Murray saved both of them, though, forcing a tie-break which he eventually won 11-9 after Isner had failed to take advantage of three set points.
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The rain came with Murray leading 2-1 in the second set, and the stoppage appeared to have an impact on Isner's imperious serving as Murray began to get more joy upon returning to the court.
His first break points arrived in the fourth game, and while Isner saved them and rescued another in his next service game, he was eventually broken in the final game of the set as Murray took it 6-4.
Another break followed in the fourth game of the third set too, putting Murray on course to progress, and sure enough the Scot successfully served out the contest to clinch the straight-sets victory.
Murray will take on either fifth seed Kei Nishikori or ninth seed Richard Gasquet in the quarter-finals as he looks to reach the last four for the third year in a row.
Barney Corkhill
