LONDON, July 3: Andy Murray remains on course to capitalise on Novak Djokovic’s stunning Wimbledon exit as the world number two eased into the last 16 with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Australia’s John Millman.
Murray has found it almost impossible to get the better of Djokovic over the last three years and had lost the Australian and French Open finals to the world number one this year.
But the 29-year-old, beaten in 13 of his last 15 meetings with Djokovic, no longer has to worry about ending that frustrating streak after the Serb was condemned to his earliest Wimbledon defeat for eight years by American 28th seed Sam Querrey.
It was a further boost for Murray, who had already benefitted from the early exit of fourth seed Stan Wawrinka, his scheduled semi-final opponent.
Djokovic’s humiliating loss was taking place on Court One at the same time as Murray was maintaining his serene progress just yards away under the Centre Court roof.
Asked about Djokovic’s exit, Murray refused to admit it was a help to his title ambitions, but conceded he was surprised to see the Serb bow out.
“Right now everyone expects Novak to win every match. He almost found a way to get back into that one today,” Murray said.
“What he’s done in the last 18 months, I don’t think we’ll see again for a long time. The level of consistency he’s had is amazing, but it’s impossible to win every match.
“I need to reach the final for that result to have any bearing on my performance. I’ve got some tough opponents in my half of the draw, including the next round.”
Murray, who became the first British man to win Wimbledon for 77 years in 2013, will play Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios or Spain’s Feliciano Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals. (Agencies)
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