Top seed Murray knocked out of Australian Open

World
Europe

Top seeded Briton Andy Murray was knocked out of the Australian Open in the fourth round on Sunday, losing 7-5 5-7 6-2 6-4 to German world number 50 Mischa Zverev on Rod Laver Arena.

Britain's Andy Murray reacts after a point against Germany's Mischa Zverev during their men's singles fourth round match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2017. /CFP Photo

Murray's defeat follows that of reigning champion Novak Djokovic, who fell to Denis Istomin in the second round on Thursday, leaving the men's draw at the year's first grand slam without its top two seeds at the quarter-final stage.

Germany's Mischa Zverev celebrates after winning his men's singles fourth round match against Britain's Andy Murray in the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2017. /CFP Photo

Meanwhile, Venus Williams continued to turn back the clock with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Germany's Mona Barthel to set up a quarter-final against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The 36-year-old Williams raced out to a 3-0 lead but Barthel fought back with the American having trouble with her ball toss at the northern end of the court as she looked directly into the sun.

Barthel broke twice to give her the opportunity at 4-3 to get back on serve but Williams capitalized on the German also having trouble with the sun to break back then served out from the Yarra River end to clinch the first set in 42 minutes.

The second set went on serve until the 11th game when Williams broke for the first time in the set, then, despite serving from the northern end, clinched victory in 96 minutes.

(Source: Reuters)

9139km