Top-seed Andy Murray stormed past Michael Berrer for the second time this season, with a 6-4, 6-2 victory sending the Scot into the quarterfinals of the ATP Thailand Open on Thursday.
Murray joined second seed Gael Monfils in the last eight at the Impact arena after the Frenchman saw off Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
Murray is competing in Bangkok for the first time since losing the 2005 final to Roger Federer. The number four won the first set against the burly Berrer, whom he beat at Roland Garros, after the 88th-ranked German saved two set points on his own serve in the ninth game. Murray took the early lead a game later and built up his momentum on the way to victory, his 42nd of 2011 against 11 losses.
“It went well, I served well throughout,” said Murray. “I’m still getting over the jet lag, so I asked for a Thursday start. “I wanted to get in as many practise sessions as possible to make the adjustment.”
Garcia-Lopez bows out
There was a quick exit for holder Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, with the Spanish fourth seed falling victim to surprising American Donald Young 6-1, 6-7 (0-7), 7-5.
Young is set for only his third career ATP quarterfinal when he takes on Japan’s Go Soeda — playing for the first time in the last eight after defeating German Tobias Kamke 6-2, 7-6 (9-7).
Garcia-Lopez saved two match points against Young before the 22-year-old American claimed victory when the Spaniard drilled a return into the net after two-and-a-half hours of battle.
