Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Andy Murray set up a quarter-final date with reigning champion David Nalbandian thanks to a routine straight-sets victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco at the Paris Masters today.
The Scot was nowhere near at his best but made it 14 victories in a row by coming through 6-3 7-6 (8/6), and he still has not lost since his US Open final defeat to Roger Federer in early September.
One break of serve was enough to claim the first set before Murray held his nerve in a tie-break to claim his second victory over Verdasco in a week.
The first came last Saturday in the semi-finals in St Petersburg, an event Murray won to maintain his superb run of results.
There were few fireworks in a match played in the less-than-glamourous surroundings of Court One.
Neither player had a sniff on his opponent's serve in the opening seven games but in the eighth, Murray earned his first break point and subsequently put it away when Verdasco sent a weak backhand into the net under no pressure to slip 5-3 down.
Errors began creeping into the Spaniard's play, especially on his weaker backhand side, and in the next game another wayward shot on that wing gifted Murray the opening set at the first time of asking, with half an hour gone.
There had been very few memorable rallies and it was more of the same in a low-key second set.
Britain's number one often cut a frustrated figure, particularly when his faltering returns went awry, but his serve was standing up to scrutiny.
With not a single break point in sight, the set went to a tie-break.
Verdasco grabbed an early mini-break and then squandered a set point by sending a very makeable smash into the net.
The 15th seed saved a match point with a forehand winner down the line but then double-faulted, giving Murray another chance to wrap the match up, which he did when Verdasco powered a forehand into the net.
Nalbandian, the eighth seed, will be a much bigger test for Murray.
The Argentinian reached the final in Basle last week and has already beaten his in-form compatriot Juan Martin del Potro in Paris.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments