Murray, Serena on a roll

NEW YORK: Andy Murray produced a masterclass in tennis to destroy the highly rated Milos Raonic on Monday and book his place in the quarterfinals of the US Open.
The Olympic champion provided more evidence he could be ready to add a first grand slam title to the gold medal he won in London last month when he blunted one of the biggest serves in the game to win 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Serena Williams was just as ruthless as she charged into the women’s quarters with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Czech Andrea Hlavackova while Roger Federer was gifted a spot in the last eight when Mardy Fish withdrew from the year’s final grand slam.
Play resumed at the Open yesterday after a delay of about one hour, 15 minutes because of rain with showers predicted on and off for most of the day.
Women’s top seed Victoria Azarenka returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 3-0 lead on defending champion Samantha Stosur, the seventh seed from Australia, in their quarterfinal match.
Showing no mercy against her 82nd ranked opponent, Williams sent an ominous warning of her intention to add the US Open title to her recent wins at Wimbledon and the London Olympics with a rare ‘double bagel’ victory in 57 minutes.
“Andrea played really well today even though it was love and love,” Williams said in a courtside interview. “I think I played really well today. I haven’t played like that all tournament.” Williams won the last of her three US Open titles in 2008 but on the evidence of her performances so far, a fourth title at Flushing Meadows appears well within her reach although her toughest challenges await.
The American’s next opponent is Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic, a former world No.1 who has rediscovered her best after a lean few years where she struggled with injuries. Federer advanced to his 34th consecutive grand slam quarterfinal without hitting a ball on the Labor Day holiday in the United States as Fish pulled out with an undisclosed health issue.
“I am really sorry for Mardy,” Federer said. “I just want to wish him a speedy recovery. We all want to see him back on tour soon.” The pair were due to clash in the fourth round but Fish, who missed part of the season because of a heart ailment and had treatment for an unspecified illness after his grueling third round win over Gilles Simon on Saturday night, announced he was pulling out.
Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, the women’s second seed, became the highest ranked casualty of the tournament when she lost to Roberta Vinci 6-1, 6-4.
The Italian will now play doubles partner and best friend Sara Errani after she upset Germany’s Angelique Kerber 7-6, 6-3.
Croatia’s big-serving Marin Cilic defeated Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 7-5, 6-4, 6-0 to secure a place against Murray, who cruised to victory in two hours.
Raonic boasts one of the biggest serves in the game but Murray broke him four times and never once faced a break point on his own serve.
“It’s the last major event of the season so I want to make sure I leave everything out there on the court,” Murray said. “Today was by far my best match of the tournament.”