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Wimbledon 2016: Andy Murray beats Nick Kyrgios to make quarters

Andy Murray celebrates winning the first set v Nick Kyrgios in his Wimbledon last-16 match
Image: Andy Murray has reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals

Andy Murray made light work of Nick Kyrgios to set up a Wimbledon quarter-final with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The world No 2 edged a tight first set before running away with a 7-5 6-1 6-4 victory in one hour and 42 minutes on Centre Court.

"The first set was very tight. I managed to get the break at 6-5 but it was very tight up to that point," said Murray.

"The second set was obviously more comfortable. Nick lost his focus a bit in the middle part of that set.

"But then in the third set, again he served a high percentage but when I was able to get the ball back in play, I was able to dictate a lot of the rallies and I managed to get an early break."

Murray, who is yet to drop a set, will next face Tsonga after his fourth-round opponent, Richard Gasquet, retired with an injury at 4-2 down in the first set.

The head-to-head record is 12-2 in Murray's favour and he has won both of their previous meetings at Wimbledon, in 2012 and 2010.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 04:  Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a forehand during the Men's Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on
Image: Murray reaches for a forehand during his match with Kyrgiods

Tsonga, though, should provide more of a test than Kyrgios, whose level dropped off severely after the first set.

The Australian, who reached the quarter-finals at the All England Club in 2014, stayed with Murray on serve until the 12th game.

From 0-40 the 15th seed managed to win the next two points but then volleyed into the net to hand Murray the set.

Kyrgios could not keep pace in the second set, again volleying into the net to give away a break and then dragging a forehand wide for 5-1.

Nick Kyrgios takes a fall against Andy Murray at Wimbledon
Image: Nick Kyrgios takes a fall against Murray
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The 21-year-old started to look rushed between points and Murray closed out a 26-minute set with successive aces.

Kyrgios could not regain his composure in the third set and his frustration was compounded by an early break.

From then on there was only one winner and Murray closed out victory in style, drilling a forehand into the corner and then firing an ace out wide.

Murray, who will be playing in his ninth successive Wimbledon quarter-final, is wary of the threat from hard-hitting Tsonga.

France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (L) shakes hands with France's Richard Gasquet (R) at the net
Image: Jo-Wilfired Tsonga (left) shakes hands with compatriot Richard Gasquet
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Murray: Kyrgios has time

Andy Murray warns Nick Kyrgios after easy Wimbledon win

"Tsonga is a top grass-court player and I'll need to play very well to win that one," said Murray, who is on a 26-match winning streak against French players.

"You can learn from the matches that you've played against him, see the things that worked well and try to execute that when you play him the next time."

He also shrugged off growing expectations that he can win a third major after the shock defeat of top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.

Andy Murray celebrates his win over Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round of Wimbledon
Image: Murray celebrates his victory over Kyrgios in the fourth round of Wimbledon

"Every year I play here it's the same," said the 29-year-old.

"It's not any different this year than it's been any of the other years I've been here. 

"I try my best to win my matches, go as deep as possible. I've been playing well so far in this event but the matches as you progress get tougher."

Murray v Kyrgios: Match Stats

Murray Kyrgios
Aces 8 11
First serve win % 84% 68%
Second serve win % 74% 20%
Break points won 4/13 0/0
Winners 36 29
Unforced errors 6 19
Total points won 96 67

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