Andy Murray shows NO sign of the quad injury that forced him to pull out of the singles as he and Joe Salisbury win in straight sets AGAIN, dominating German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz to reach quarter-finals in Tokyo
- Andy Murray had to choose between singles and doubles due to a quad issue
- He chose doubles and has looked formidable alongside partner Joe Salisbury
- The Team GB pair won 6-2, 7-6 to book their place in the quarter-finals in Tokyo
Andy Murray shrugged off any injury concerns with his troublesome quad by cruising through to the third round of men’s doubles with Joe Salisbury.
A lot was made of Murray electing to pull out of the men’s tennis singles event against Felix Auger-Aliassime with Team GB medical staff urging him to choose either singles or doubles.
It appears he has made a shrewd choice partnering with Salisbury as they brushed aside German pair Kevin Krawietz, who is ranked No 15 in the world in doubles, and Tim Putz 6-2, 7-6.
Andy Murray led the charge as the Scot and Joe Salisbury reached the doubles quarter-finals
The Team GB pair put in another dominant display in Tokyo to win out in straight sets
The Team GB pair, who are yet to drop a set, raced into an early break but saw early momentum paused with rain and wind forcing temporary postponement of all tennis matches on outside courts.
It was a miserable day in Tokyo, particularly in early morning, but Murray and Salisbury picked up exactly where they left off when play resumed.
Murray and Salisbury had never played a competitive doubles match together prior to this tournament but look naturals alongside each other.
Salisbury, world No 9 in doubles, is GB’s best doubles player and he had the pick of the bunch when it came to picking his partner.
German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz could do little to slow down the British onslaught
Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski were the other British hope in the doubles but their luck ran out on Monday when they were beaten in straight sets by home favourites Kei Nishikori and Ben McLachlan.
Plenty of eyes were fixed on Murray and the quad that ruled him out of singles action, but he looked at ease on court, commanding from the off.
Krawietz and Putz seemingly had no answers and soon found themselves down 6-2 in the opening set.
The second set was far more competitive, Murray and Salisbury pushed all the way to a tie-breaker.
Murray has real belief that this pairing can go the distance, something the two-time singles gold medalist would know plenty about.
Speaking after their opening win, Murray said: ‘I think we have the potential to be a really good team, I think the result today showed that.
Murray has complete belief in this pairing and showed no issues with his troublesome quad
‘Doubles is always tricky because sometimes the matches can come down to a few points.
‘I think we were well deserved winners today, we created lots of chances, but not every doubles match is like that.
‘I think if we keep the same sort of attitude and everything, prepare diligently, I think we’ve got a chance of doing well. But it’s not easy, just because we won that match.’
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