Murray Out as Djokovic and Nadal Advance at Italian Open
Great Britain’s Andy Murray was ousted from the 2012 Internazionali BNL d’Italia by Frenchman Richard Gasquet, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2, on Thursday. The world number four-ranked Murray, who continues to be hampered by a long-term back injury, dominated the first set tie-break, but missed 15 of 17 break points as he lost to the 22nd-ranked Gasquet in just under three hours. Murray revealed that he has been playing through his back ailment since last December, an injury that may threaten his 2012 season.
“It was long match and I had a sore back towards the end but I was expecting that coming to the tournament,” said Murray. “I didn’t take a break because I’ve been training and playing a lot, but the muscles are more tired and fatigued."
Advancing into the quarterfinals of the men’s draw are world number one Novak Djokovic and world number three Rafael Nadal. Djokovic took his aggressions out on his racquet, smashing it to pieces as he came back to beat Juan Monaco in a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory to progress to advance where he faced France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Djokovic advanced to the semifinals on Friday after defeating Tsonga, 7-5, 6-1. Djokovic awaits the winner of the match between Roger Federer and Italy’s Andreas Seppi.
“It’s frustrating the conditions like this but you just try to keep focused and my emotions are important all through the match,” said Djokovic after his match with Monaco. “I have been like that for many years, but I just keep positive in my head and pull the momentum to my side and then I got on the winning board."
Nadal got past the Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych, 6-4, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals where he will meet Spain’s David Ferrer, a 7-6(4), 6-3 winner over Gasquet.
