It doesn't have to take Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer to beat Andy Murray.
Fernando Verdasco can do the job too.
Nando sent Murray packing after defeating the bookies' favourite 2-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 today.
Nando, who won the crucial rubber that won Spain the 2008 Davis Cup against Argentina in Buenos Aires, became the first left hander, other than Nadal, to beat Murray at tour level.
On several occasions throughout the match Murray chastised himself, at one point in the fourth set screaming “what the hell are you doing?”.
Murray, however, blamed himself for not converting his chances.
“I could have started a couple of the sets better,” Murray told reporters.
“I went behind, played a couple of poor games early in the second and fourth sets to get behind."
“If I sort of stayed on top there, that might have made a bit of a difference."
“But apart from that…I did have my chances.”
Nando will next meet fifth seed Jo Wilfried-Tsonga in the quarterfinals after beating James Blake in straight sets.
“For me it was one of the biggest goals to be in quarter-finals for first time in a grand slam,” he said.
“I was feeling with big confidence and pretty fit. So I was (confident) to make quarter-finals for the first time.
“Right now I am so happy to make this goal possible.”
Let's start off the Ox year with some updates from Zheng Jie. She took a water taxi ride along the Yarra River yesterday on New Year Eve.
Today she'll have a big match in the quarterfinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova. I'm a fan of Kuzy so whoever wins and through to the semifinals, I'll be just as happy.
Updates: Oh no! Zheng Jie retired from the match after a wrist injury in the first set.
Kuzy will now face second seed Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, who also enjoyed a brisk workout after her opponent, Victoria Azarenka, retired due to dizziness and an "undisclosed illness".
(Images by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images via zimbio, xinhuanet)
"I don't know how fit Murray is. I'll take him on any day in a five-setter. He's younger so he's probably not so experienced, you know.In the end it becomes very mental, and I know that this is where my biggest strengths always come into play."
~ Roger Federer
Roger Federer said today that he would take on Andy Murray any day over five sets after surviving a marathon match in the Australian Open fourth round against Tomas Berdych 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Roger who has lost his last four matches against the Murray, has fought a low-key war of words with the Scot since arriving here for the first Grand Slam of the season. (Image via Yahoo! Sports)
Zahirah caught up with Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun right after his doubles match at the Australian Open and got his blessing to record a Lunar New Year message to his fans out there.
According to Zahirah who interviewed Rendy, win or lose, Rendy will spend his Chinese New Year abroad this year, as he plans to jet off to Germany for the Heilbronn Challenger next week.
“It was nice to spend it (at home),” Rendy said.
“You can really feel the atmosphere then.”
Zahirah also reported, spending holidays away from home may be hard, but with Rendy's sustained climb in the ATP rankings and the increasingly elevated profile of tennis in Taipei which he spearheads, Rendy is certainly reaping some handsome rewards for his sacrifice.
HCFoo would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Ox Year!
It doesn't have to take Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer to beat Andy Murray.
On several occasions throughout the match Murray chastised himself, at one point in the fourth set screaming “what the hell are you doing?”.
Murray, however, blamed himself for not converting his chances.
