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Monday, January 21, 2013

Murray shoots down weary Simon to reach last eight


MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Andy Murray made harder work of it than many expected but still eased comfortably into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-1 6-3 victory over weary Frenchman Gilles Simon on Monday.

Simon was a physical wreck after Saturday's marathon third round victory over Gael Monfils but he managed to force his spindly legs around the court to break the third seeded Briton twice.

Andy Murray of Britain celebrates defeating Gilles Simon of France during their men's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Tim WimborneAndy Murray of Britain celebrates defeating Gilles Simon of France during their men's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

The constant pressure on his own service gradually took its toll, however, and Murray swept into the last eight with his eighth break after a 95 minute encounter on Hisense Arena.

Murray, seeking his second grand slam title after winning last year's U.S. Open, will next face unseeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy as he bids to secure a fourth successive semi-final berth at Melbourne Park.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by John O'Brien)

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