Murray Masters Thiem, Faces Cilic Friday In Rotterdam QFs; Del Potro, Berdych Also In Hunt

by Staff | February 14th, 2014, 1:02 am
  • 14 Comments

Andy Murray resumed his comeback from surgery Thursday in Rotterdam with a tough 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over promising 20-year-old Dominic Thiem.

The Austrian Thiem went toe-to-toe with the reigning Wimbledon champ who finally seized control with a break during a lengthy second game of the final set.

“Obviously it was a tough match, it was a long match, a lot of long, close games,” said the wildcard Murray. “In the second set when he was playing very well, I created a lot of opportunities. A lot of love/30, break points, 30-all, couldn’t quite get them. Hopefully coming through matches like this, I’ll start to be able to take those opportunities a little bit better. But it’s been a good start for me and to play at least three matches in three days is good for my body, as well.”

Despite the loss, Thiem made a name for himself with his array of power shots and touch game.

“I have to have a consistent game and I have to improve my fitness,” said Thiem who practices a lot with Ernests Gulbis. “To play every week at this level, to defend points – which I will have to do for the first time in the autumn – will be a new experience.”

Next for Murray is Marin Cilic who is on a seven match win streak.

Top seed and Juan Martin del Potro is also in the quarterfinals. The Argentine defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 7-6. He’ll now play Gulbis. The Latvian surprised Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 7-6.

Del Potro, though, remains guarded about his wrist.

“Sometimes I get frustrate,” he said. “It’s not easy when I want to close the point and hit hard but I have to hit slices. But I have done this for the past month on the tour and I have to deal with it. If the pain goes away I will start to hit the backhand harder again.

“I know it’s not getting worse, that’s why I’m still playing. It’s normal to feel something on the wrist after 20 days without playing tennis and I’m playing here with more intensity and two matches in a row.

“My doctor is confident with my wrist,” he said, “and he is watching me on TV. He’s expecting a quick recovery… If the doctor says it’s safe to keep playing I will keep playing all the tournaments and work hard to play well with my forehand and serve.”

Tomas Berdych and Jerzy Janowicz were also winners, and their reward will be a quarterfinal collision Friday. Igor Sijsling and Philipp Kohlschreiber also advanced to meet in the last eight.

In Memphis, Lleyton Hewitt and Ivo Karlovic are in the quarters along with American hope Jack Sock who plays the 6-foot-11 Croat and defending champ and top seed Kei Nishikori.

The favorites are all still alive in Buenos Aires with David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro and Fabio Fognini still alive.

And on the women’s tour in Doha, after Li Na’s upset, Petra Kvitova and Agnieszka Radwanska are the two top women remaining in the quarters.


You Might Like:
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Cilic, Thiem Lead Rotterdam Winners Thursday; Dimitrov Now 16-1 On Season
Goffin Finally Stops Dimitrov, Thiem Upset In Rotterdam; Tsonga v Berdych Saturday
US Open Champs Federer, Del Potro, Cilic Advance To Basel QFs; Thiem Falls In Vienna
Murray, Del Potro Advance In Rotterdam, Tsonga Upset; Dimitrov v Gulbis Thursday

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14 Comments for Murray Masters Thiem, Faces Cilic Friday In Rotterdam QFs; Del Potro, Berdych Also In Hunt

Hippy Chic Says:

Dont really know where to put this,but just to say HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL TENNIS X POSTERS AND THEIR PARTNERS,PLEASE BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER XX..


TGIT Says:

Right back at you! xoxo


Giles Says:

Delpo out Gulby in.


courbon Says:

@ Hippy: Ok, I’ll stop beating my wife…


Brando Says:

@Courbon:

ROFLMFAO- you crazy —k!

I lol’d hard at that.

Yeah, I think it’s a good idea that you should stop that.


courbon Says:

@ Brando: I just realised that some people may don’t get my sarcastic humor.I think I spent too much time watching ‘Black Ader’…
By the way, I love Mourinho’s latest dig at Wenger.I love that guy-always entertaining!


Brando Says:

@Courbon:

Nah your humour is fine. It makes me LOL hard so it’s all good!

Re the Special One:

Yep- I like him to. I’m glad he’s back as he brings a spice, an edge to the contest with his somewhat prickly personality.

And the Wneger thing?

LMFAO- he totally owned him with his response. I feel sorry for Wenger when the media asks him for a response since Jose pretty much got game, set and match by labelling him a failure specialist.

I wonder what he calls Moyes? Dithering Dave or Gollum for me.


courbon Says:

@ Brando: Ah, yes Moyes..
.He should write the book -‘ How to destroy world class Football team in a year ‘.
The book he should buy, is ‘Football management for Dummies’…


Giles Says:

Andy out Cilic in.


the DA Says:

Well that sucked. Two sloppy service games and *whoosh* you’re out. I saw it coming from yesterday. Nevertheless, credit to Cilic. He has become rock solid. Congrats on your 2nd win in 11 tries. ;P


skeezer Says:

Andy out. Bummer. Credit to Cilic.


Brando Says:

It would be something IF Gulbis were to win this. Still a long way to go but that would be quite awesome to see.


Hippy Chic Says:

Courbon although not a fan of Chelsea i love Jose and his sarcastic SOH,anyway i hope you enjoyed your day whatever you did?i missed the tennis because of work dissapointed about both Andy and Delpo,but neither were at their best this week anyway so not exactly unexpected,great wins for Cilic and Gulbis whom i cannot stand,seems to think hes doing everybody a favour because he chose to play tennis.


courbon Says:

@ Hippy:Well, Gulbis is arrogant prat but I like his tennis.Anyway, I hope your ladies been good to you at work, I have to go to bed-I’v been composing last 4 hours with headphones,( eaerlier wwe had nice dinner ) my head will explode and I will be scr***ed tomorrow at work, with only 3 hour sleep.C est la vie…Good night

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