Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport

Australian Open: Quarter finals - Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal

Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Nadal's fans were out in force to cheer on the reigning champion
Rafael Nadal's fans were out in force at the Rod Laver Arena to cheer on the reigning champion
Photograph: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray's fans were also present to cheer on their boy
Andy Murray's fans were also present to cheer on their boy
Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Ricky Hatton cheers on Andy Murray against Nadal
The British No1 also had Ricky Hatton in the stands cheering him on
Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Andy Murray serves to Rafael Nadal
The support spurs Murray on and he takes the first game of the contest courtesy of a 126mph ace
Photograph: Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Nadal plays a fierce forehand
After losing that first game Nadal seems to get his tail up and fires a number of quality shots over the net, including a savage inside-out forehand, and has Murray running this way and that. Nadal wins the next two games to make it 2-1
Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray speaks with chair umpire Murphy
Murray has a bit of a rant at the umpire Fergus Murphy in the fifth game of the first set after Nadal was allowed to challenge a line call 20 seconds after it had been originally called out
Photograph: David Gray/Reuters
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Spain's Rafael Nadal
Murray quickly regained his composure and his aggressive serve and volley tactics pay off as he takes the first set 6-3
Photograph: David Gray/Reuters
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: General view of the Murray v Nadal quarter final match
The first set took just under an hour and there seems no let up from the two protagonists as the first five games of the second set go with serve before a quick break for fireworks ...
Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Australia Day fireworks over the Rod Laver Arena
... which were let off to mark Australia Day
Photograph: Francis R. Malasig/EPA
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return against Andy Murray
Following the fireworks Nadal comes out the stronger and wins the game and the first break of serve of the set ...
Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Nadal celebrates winning a point
... which he seems quite happy about
Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray plays a two-handed backhand
Murray unleashes a sledgehammer of a two-handed backhand as he breaks Nadal and then uses his big serve in the next game to make it 4-4
Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Rafael Nadal serves to Andy Murray
Nadal's serve now comes into play, including his first ace of the match, which was over 120mph. He now has his nose in front in the second set and leads Murray 5-6 and just needs to break the Scot on the next game to make it one set all
Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray serves to Nadal
Despite Nadal growing in strength as the match goes on, Murray's serve is such a weapon, that he pulls out three aces – all at over 130mph to take the game on his first advantage. This means that the second set will be decided on a tie break
Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray reacts during his quarter-final match against Nadal
A couple of mistakes by Nadal and an overhead forehand by Murray along with some simple serve and volleying means the Scot wins the tie-break 7-2 and takes the second set 7-6
Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Medic examines Nadal's knee
Murray wins the first game of the third set and then play is halted at 15-15 on Nadal's first service game of the set as the medic comes on to examine the Spaniard's knee. Apparently it is sore and he is having trouble pushing off it
Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray plays a backhand return to Nadal
Nadal resumes play but Murray has the bit between his teeth and breaks serve to make it 2-0 in the third
Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Rafael Nadal plays a forehand
Nadal battles back to earn a break point at 30-40 in the third game of the third set
Photograph: Julian Abram Wainwright/EPA
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray serves
But Murray responds with a 130mph sliced serve for his 11th ace of the match to take the game to deuce. He then produces two more aces to take the game. So it's 3-0 to Murray
Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray and his fans celebrate
Which his fans celebrate
Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Murray v Nadal Qtr Final: Murray and Nadal embrace after Nadal retires from their match
It is at this point that Nadal decides he can't carry on with his painful knee so retires from the match to give Murray a 6-3, 7-6, 3-0 victory. Murray will now meet Maric Cilic in the semi-final on Thursday
Photograph: Lucas Dawson/Getty Images
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.