Murray books first all-British Queen’s quarter-final

Saturday, 18 June 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

AFP (London): Andy Murray set up the first all-British Queen’s Club quarter-final in the Open era as the defending champion cruised to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over another compatriot Aljaz Bedene on Thursday (Jun 16).

Murray will face British wildcard Kyle Edmund for a place in the semi-finals after brushing aside Bedene in the second round of the Wimbledon warm-up event.

The last time two British players contested an ATP Tour quarter-final was in Adelaide in 2002 when Tim Henman defeated Greg Rusedski 6-4, 6-4.

“It wasn’t bad. I’m still getting used to the conditions a bit but I played well,” Murray said.

“The British thing had no bearing on it. It’s good the British players are doing well and I’m happy there are more Brits at the bigger events. I had a feeling I would play one here. Kyle Edmund is improving all the time - it’s not one massive leap but every year he gets a bit better.”

Murray is bidding for a record fifth Queen’s crown and the world number two took just 83 minutes to extend his fine career record in west London to 27-5 and book a sixth appearance in the Queen’s last eight.

The 29-year-old Scot, who resumed his partnership with coach Ivan Lendl this week after a two-year separation, next takes on Davis Cup team-mate Edmund, who was given a walkover into the quarter-finals after his French opponent Paul-Henri Mathieu pulled out with a wrist problem.

The promising South Africa-born 21-year-old had enjoyed the best win of his career on Wednesday when he defeated French world number 18 Gilles Simon in the first round.

While there was another more high-profile Battle of Britain going on across the English Channel in France, where England and Wales clashed in Euro 2016, there was plenty at stake for Murray.