No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 4 Andy Murray both advanced to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters -- barely.
Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray Outlast Upset Bids At Cincinnati Masters
Nadal was forced to fight off a match point in the second set, rallying for a 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-2 win over Frenchman Julian Benneteau. Nadal was down 6-5 in the second set tiebreak, before Benneateau sailed a return long. Nadal reeled off the next two points to take the set, effectively ending Benneateau’s night, as the Frenchman struggled with cramps during the third set.
Murray, meanwhile, found himself in a tight match against Latvian Ernests Gulbis, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4). Murray perhaps showed a bit of fatigue after winning at Toronto last week, but managed to take advantage of Gulbis’ frequent miscues and unforced errors.
Nadal will face former Aussie Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis in the quarterfinals, while Murray will face off with American Mardy Fish.
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