Andy Murray is enjoying the recent resurgence of British women’s tennis – and welcomed the number of familiar faces still present in Melbourne. And while the world number three concedes he has not spent too much time with his countrywomen Down Under this week, he admits it is “nice” to not be the only British representative heading into the middle weekend of the Australian Open.
Although Heather Watson’s run ended at the hands of Agnieszka Radwanska in the early hours of Friday morning, Laura Robson has the opportunity to match her run to the last 16 of the US Open last year when she meets rising American star Sloane Stephens overnight.
Murray himself meets Ricardas Berankis as he continues to follow up his maiden grand slam title in New York with further success in Melbourne.
Of the women, he said: “I think it’s nice to have more British players around the tournament.
“I haven’t spent that much time with the women but I obviously see them around, in the gym, whatnot.
“We had Anne Keothavong and the young girl (Johanna Konta) in the qualifying, and Jamie Baker qualified (for the men’s singles).
“And we have five or six guys in the doubles as well.”
While it is very positive to see British tennis slowly gaining momentum, certainly on the women’s side, Murray remains its flagbearer.
And his immediate goal is further success in Australia.
Next up for the Scot is a third-round clash with resurgent Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, who thrashed 25th seed Florian Mayer to reach this stage.
Berankis is a qualifier but should not be underestimated as someone once tipped for big things before being struck down by a serious groin injury.
“He plays well,” said Murray. “He is not that tall but he hits the ball pretty big from the back of the court.
“He plays aggressive and is a very flat hitter of the ball.
“He’s obviously playing very well to beat a guy like Mayer that comfortably. It was a very good win.”
Berankis must view the clash with Murray as a chance to take a significant step back towards his predicted goal after an injury which was initially misdiagnosed in 2011.
“I got injured pretty badly and couldn’t play for four months,” he said. “I came back on the court for half a year and then the injury came back so again I didn’t play for half a year.
“Now I am back on the court, healthy and trying to stay healthy.”
He found it tough being sidelined especially after being incorrectly told he would be back within four months.
He added: “The first time the doctor made a mistake. He said it was a bone fracture and I shouldn’t play for three to four months so I didn’t.
“At the time my ranking was 73 so I dropped. And then when I came back I was still feeling pain.
“And then in February last year I couldn’t play anymore so one doctor in the States told me it was a sports hernia. And when they cut me open they found the muscles (in the groin) were torn off.
“The first time it was the mistake of the doctor but now they have solved it.”
Asked by a Lithuanian journalist if the blundering medic was still alive, Berankis responded with a smile: “So far yes…but we will see how it goes.”
Djokovic cruises past tricky Stepanek
World number one Novak Djokovic remained on course for a third successive Australian Open title after an entertaining win over Radek Stepanek. Stepanek threw some different challenges at the world number one – charging the net on 67 occasions – but Djokovic was still too strong, winning 6-4 6-3 7-5 in two hours 22 minutes. The contest featured a host of wonderful rallies with both players pushed to the limit and Djokovic admitted it was enjoyable to play in. “It was a great match, great fun,” he said. “He is a very talented player, very skilful. He made a lot of great first volleys and made me play the extra ball. “He was chipping and charging, not a lot of players do this any more. A lot of the players stay on the baseline.” Djokovic has looked good in the first week and will play either Sam Querrey or Stanislas Wawrinka in round four. “I have played well in the first few rounds, slowly getting into my rhythm,” he said. “I can play better but I cannot be dissatisfied with my performances.”The first two sets were similar – Stepanek holding his own before Djokovic struck at key times. The top seed broke through in the 10th game to claim the opener when Stepanek netted a makeable volley and a wonderful backhand pass handed him a 5-3 advantage in the second. It remained on serve in the third until 5-5 when Stepanek dumped a weak backhand into the net at 15-40.
