Andy Murray pleased with his latest victory at Wimbledon ahead of Sam Querrey quarter-final
"I definitely felt better today. That's positive moving into the last few days of the tournament"
Monday 10 July 2017 23:03, UK
Andy Murray said his victory over Benoit Paire "was by far the best" he has hit the ball during Wimbledon and has high hopes of reaching Sunday's final.
Murray became just the third player in the Open era after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to reach 10 consecutive quarter-finals at a single Grand Slam after he defeated Benoit Paire 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-4.
The world No 1 felt he took a step up from his performance against Fabio Fognini on Friday and shrugged off more questions about his troublesome hip.
"Like I said at the beginning of the tournament, I'll be able to get through seven matches if that's what I have to do," Murray told a press conference.
"Obviously I want to try to get to the final. I've done a good job so far here. Today was by far the best I hit the ball, the cleanest I hit the ball. I was happy about that.
"The last couple of days, practice has been really good. I didn't feel great during my last match. I didn't feel like I played so well, not loads of rhythm in the first two matches.
"I definitely felt better today. That's positive moving into the last few days of the tournament."
And it was double British joy after Johanna Konta beat Caroline Garcia to make a little bit of history.
Not for 44 years have a British man and woman made the singles quarter-finals in the same year, and hopes are high that this may not be the end of the story for either player.
Murray will be a heavy favourite against Sam Querrey and leads the American 7-1 in career meetings, while Konta takes on second seed Simona Halep in a repeat of their controversial Fed Cup play-off clash between Romania and Great Britain from earlier this year.
It's great that she's doing well. Hopefully she keeps going the next few days
"I think it's great," said Murray. "It's not just about this tournament, but over the last 18 months, two years, Jo has done great.
"It's important to have various different role models in the sport, players competing for the biggest events.
"I do think it makes a difference to the interest in the sport, because a lot of people who follow tennis in this country won't enjoy watching me play. It's true.
"So it's great if you have someone like Jo or Kyle (Edmund), or whoever it is. People like different game styles, different personalities.
"It's great that she's doing well. Hopefully she keeps going the next few days."
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