Croatian Ivan Ljubicic refused to go out quietly. After losing the first set, the game 32-year old Ljubicic tried to pull the hare from the hat in the fourth set. He nearly succeeded but only a player of Murray’s abilities could have withstood the hard pressing Croatian.

In Murray’s 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) triumph, his performance had fans startled by his talent and heartsick that he could not hold serve at 5-4 to close out the match in the final set. After the break, Ljubicic came out firing and swept through the eleventh game putting Murray under pressure to hold serve.

Ljubicic learned to handle Murray’s add court wide serve by moving inside the baseline and wailing a powerful one-handed backhand down the line. This strategy worked repeatedly in the tenth game and once in the twelfth game. Murray was having difficulty serving to the deuce court where Ljubicic seemed to have a forehand return well timed.

Murray was forced to change his location and vary his speed. This transition was one that the less-seasoned Murray would not have accepted. But, it is clear Andy Murray is not playing for second place this time around. His play in the last four tournaments has separated him from the pack along with Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. All four reached the semis in Paris and might do the same in London.

Some of that may depend on the outcome of Juan Martin Del Potro’s unfinished match. Assuming Nadal outplays Gilles Muller, he is scheduled to meet the winner of the Del Potro – Simon match which will be completed Saturday. Nadal and Del Potro have had some great confrontations in the past.

Murray will have the full weekend to rest before his Monday match with 17th seed Richard Gasquet. The Frenchman cruised through Simone Bolelli, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Round of Sixteen.

One favorite who will not be playing on Monday is Andy Roddick. The three-time finalist and 2009 runner-up to Roger Federer was unceremoniously defeated by Spain’s Feliciano Lopez, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), 6-4. Lopez had the answers today and continued his success against the American counterpart.

In other matches of interest, 7th seeded David Ferrer held strong against a challenge form young American challenger Ryan Harrison, 6-7 (6), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Harrison showed the form that leads many to believe he will soon be a top ten player.

Austrian Bernard Tomic defeated Igor Andreev in five sets and 11th seed Jurgen Melzer put way Dmitiri Tursunov in four. If the weather cooperates, Saturday’s play will be top notch.

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