Wimbledon 2015: Andy Murray reaches quarterfinals with a fine win over Ivo Karlovic

Andy Murray celebrates a point in his fourth round match against Ivo Karlovic

Andy Murray beat Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to reach the last eight at Wimbledon.

Murray knew what to expect from Karlovic well before the match began. The Croat had struck 136 aces in three rounds to Murray’s 29. The Scot won 79% of his first serves in the opening set that had no service breaks.

Karlovic was fluent at the net putting away winners at ease. He hit 22 winners, but committed 15 unforced errors. The No. 3 seed was more frugal in the unforced errors department, with just 3 of them. Murray won the first set in the tie-breaker (9-7) that saw multiple mini-breaks. It was an uphill task for Karlovic, looking for his first win over Murray in six meetings.

Murray broke Karlovic in the opening game of the second set. The Croat started it off with an ace, but a double fault and a couple of winners by Murray meant Karlovic was trailing 0-1. The 36-year-old was in trouble again in the seventh game at 15-40, but a strong first serve and an ace helped him get it to deuce. A couple of second serves by Karlovic keeps him in the set trailing by just a solitary break.

Murray quickly brought up three set points with a fine down the line winner, an ace and an unreturnable first serve. Murray puts away an easy winner with Karlovic stranded on the baseline to take a two sets to love lead.

Karlovic started things positively in the third set holding his service game to love. Murray saved a break point in the fourth game as he shouted “Come on” before levelling score at 2-2. Karlovic two break points at 15-40 in the seventh game with a backhand volley near the net and an overhead smash. The Croat led 4-3 after an ace and a forehand error by Murray.

Karlovic broke Murray’s serve for the first time in the twelfth game when Murray sent his forehand long on set point. It was just the fourth set that Karlovic won against Murray.

Murray got the crucial break in the seventh game of the fourth set. Karlovic started the game with a double fault and missed a backhand volley on break point to trail 3-4. All Murray had to do was hold his serve which he did with relative ease to reach the quarterfinals.

Murray had lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals last year.

The Scot will face Vasek Pospisil in the last eight. The Canadian beat Viktor Troicki 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3,6-3.