Andersen books date with Wawrinka in US Open quarters

Anderson, who won his third career title two weeks ago at Winston-Salem, is the first South African in the US Open’s last-eight since Wayne Ferreira in 1992.

Italy’s Flavia Pennetta returned to the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive year easing past 2011 U.S. Open victor Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-4 6-4.

Murray endured his earliest defeat at a grand slam in five years as he was beaten 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (7/0) by South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.

Murray led by a mini-break in the first-set tie-break but let it slip and the disappointment seemed to carry over into the second set, as he allowed his South African opponent to storm 5-1 clear. “Many years of hard work have gone into building that sort of consistency and to lose that is tough”. “To lose that is tough”, Murray was quoted as saying by bbc.com on Monday.

Anderson’s win ended Murray’s run of 18 consecutive major quarter-finals since the 2010 US Open. “This is a great accomplishment for me.”.

Andy Murray secured all three points by winning his two singles matches and teaming with his brother for victory in the doubles.

“It was more playing against Kevin on the court of that speed, and with him serving as well as he does, it’s a tricky match“.

“I’m just really looking forward to heading already to my next tournament“.

“To do it at this stage, at this round, obviously to get through to the quarters the first time in a slam definitely means a lot to me”.

He will now face Richard Gasquet of France, who beat Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

“I think with breakers, it’s about not getting too far ahead of yourself”, the 29-year-old said of the fourth set tie-breaker rout that put him in a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time in his career.

The second set found Murray at a loss early as he slid to a 1-5 deficit. He played inspired tennis, hitting 81 winners – using his serve and huge forehand to take the attack to Murray. “Of course Roger will be the favorite of the match but I will have nothing to lose”, said Gasquet.

Victoria Azarenka and Stan Wawrinka, both two-time Grand Slam champions, make trips to the U.S. Open quarterfinals an annual affair.

Halep, who had her left thigh wrapped after wasting two set points in the first, won 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-2 in 2 hours, 38 minutes on a hot afternoon. You get a lot of wind in there.

“The pace on his second serve especially is unreal”.

But Anderson finally took advantage of his fifth set point, ripping his 12th ace up the middle to claim the set, then heading for a toilet break.