Classy Andy Murray outguns Robredo in Madrid

BRITISH number one Andy Murray’s defence of the Madrid Masters remains on track in Spain after he cruised past home favourite Tommy Robredo.

CLASSY: British number one Andy Murray outgunned Tommy Robredo to reach the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 event, the Madrid Open (Getty Images)

The Scot, who celebrates his 22nd birthday tomorrow, will now play either Juan Martin Del Potro or Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals after a straight sets win.

The newly-installed world number three took a tight first set 7-5, before demolishing the world No. 17, 6-1 in the second to book his spot in the last eight.

The first set went with serve until 5-5 but Murray’s excellent defence saw him grab the decisive break and clinch the set 7-5.

And the Scot, who had lost two of his three previous encounters with Robredo, continued where he’d left off in the second set by grabbing a quick break at 1-1.  

Home favourite Robredo served his first double fault of the game to give Murray three break points, which he duly converted for a 2-1 lead.

And the British number one didn’t look back; breaking his Spanish opponent two more times to take the second set 6-1 in just 33 minutes and clinch a regulation victory.

"Robredo is a top ten player on clay. He’s been to the second week of the French Open on numerous occasions and has won eight tournaments on the surface," said Murray.

"The conditions were very tricky – it was difficult to move at the back of the court and the wind got up a bit but I didn’t give him too many opportunities to score points early on.

"I had a lot of break points but couldn’t quite take them but I’m pleased to wrap up the win.

"Normally, on clay, when the ball hits the line it shoots through but because the courts are quite new, it bounces off the lines and that can make it quite tough.

"I’m sure they’ll get better as the week goes on and they’ll definitely be better next year."