Improved Murray Reaches QFs

© Dubai Duty Free Tennis ChampionshipsAndy Murray improved to a 12-1 match record on the season.

Andy Murray was the first player to reach the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday when he defeated Marco Chiudinelli 6-3, 6-4.

The number four seed looked far more comfortable than in his opening match and he didn’t face a break point in the entire match, claiming victory with a single break of serve in each set.

Murray pressured his opponent from the start, holding a break point to lead 2-0 before Chiudinelli held with an ace. But Murray then broke to take a 3-1 lead when his service return forced Chiudinelli to net the ball, and he went on to serve out the first set with an ace.

Chiudinelli, who had not won a match in his past five tournaments until his first round victory in Dubai, once again faced a break point in the opening game of the second set, but Murray sent his service return long.

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Murray netted the ball when he again held a break point at 3-3, but he finally made a breakthrough at 4-4 when Chiudinelli netted a forehand on break point. Murray then once again served out the set at love.

"It was good to see Murray produce such a commanding performance," said tournament director Salah Tahlak. "There is no doubt that he will be a leading contender for the title as the week progresses, even though he faces such formidable opposition."

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Play in the $2 million ATP World Tour 500 event continues until 3rd March and features eight of the world’s top 10 including Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.