US Open: Federer cruises but Murray knocked out

Former world number one beats Isner while South African Anderson sends Murray packing.

US Open Tennis
Federer will be taking part in his 46th grand slam quarter-final [EPA]

Roger Federer cut down big-serving American John Isner in straight sets at the US Open to claim an accustomed grand slam quarter-finals spot at Flushing Meadows.

However, there was bad news for Andy Murray who fell out of the US Open under a barrage of aces and service winners off the racquet of towering South African Kevin Anderson.

Anderson reached his first grand-slam quarter-finals with a 7-6(5)6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(0) victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium after a string of seven losses in fourth-round matches at grand slams.

Murray’s loss snapped the Briton’s run of having reached 18 consecutive grand slam quarter-finals.

“That’s obviously something that is disappointing to lose,” said the third-seeded Scot, who smashed his racquet in frustration after losing the second set.

“That’s many years’ work that’s gone into building that sort of consistency.

“Also to lose a match like that, that was over four hours, tough obviously after a couple of tough matches earlier in the tournament, as well. It’s a hard one to lose, for sure.”

Prior tot he US Open, Murray had reached 18 consecutive grand slam quarter-finals [Reuters]
Prior tot he US Open, Murray had reached 18 consecutive grand slam quarter-finals [Reuters]

Meanwhile, Federer, winner of a record 17 grand slam titles, beat 13th seed Isner 7-6(0) 7-6(6) 7-5 to set up a last-eight clash against 12th-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who ousted sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych in four sets.

The world number two will be contesting his 46th grand slam quarter-final.

Federer, who never lost his serve, held his own from the service line to thwart Isner and used his returning skills to derail a pair of long streaks enjoyed by the American.

The 34-year-old Federer closed out the two hour, 39 minute fourth-round match by breaking the six-foot-10-inch Isner’s serve, ending the American’s string of 108 consecutive service holds at the US Open, dating back to the beginning of last year’s championship.

Berdych’s time in Flushing Meadows came to an end with the sixth seeded Czech falling 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-1 to 12th seeded Frenchman Gasquet.

Results:

2-Roger Federer (Switzerland) beat 13-John Isner (U.S.) 7-6(0) 7-6(6) 7-5
5-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) beat Donald Young (U.S.) 6-4 1-6 6-3 6-4
12-Richard Gasquet (France) beat 6-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-1
15-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) beat 3-Andy Murray (Britain) 7-6(5) 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(0)

Source: Reuters