Andy Murray beats Mikhail Youzhny at Wimbledon 2013
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Andy Murray survived some nervous moments to beat Mikhail Youzhny and reach the quarter-finals on another day of drama at Wimbledon.
The second seed won 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 to make the last eight for the sixth year in a row at the All England Club.
He is now the only Briton remaining in the singles after on Court One, and will face Spain's Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday.
Murray had arrived on Centre Court as the crowd were still digesting but the Scot was not about to suffer a similar fate.
He was in danger of being drawn into a lengthy battle in an edgy second set, but came through in the tie-break and wrapped things up after two hours and 37 minutes.
A straightforward afternoon seemed to be unfolding when Murray played a terrific game that included a deft half-volley, a deadly backhand lob and a brilliant forehand pass, to lead by a set and a break.
What followed was distinctly unimpressive, however, with his second serve coming under attack from the Russian 20th seed.
When Murray double-faulted to drop serve for the second game in succession and then fell 5-2 behind, he was under real pressure for the first time in the tournament.
Youzhny, playing in the last 16 at Wimbledon for the eighth time, had his chance to level when he served for the set, but after seeing off two break-back points he could do nothing about a Murray forehand on the third.
The Scot was still searching for consistency, and another double-fault saw him change ends 4-2 down in the tie-break, but the most delicate of drop shots shifted the momentum.
Murray cracked a cross-court backhand winner on set point and, after Youzhny received treatment on his shoulder, the third set was a one-sided affair.
The Russian tamely handed over his serve in the second game and Murray broke for the fifth time before sealing victory with a blistering forehand and a serve-volley.
"It was a tough match, the first couple of sets especially, but once I got ahead in the third I concentrated hard on not letting him back in like I did in the second set," Murray told BBC Sport.
"I don't take anything for granted. I know how hard these tournaments are to win. There are no guarantees here and I don't come into them thinking I am going to win.
"I just concentrate on each game. Serena lost today; Roger [Federer] has lost and Rafa [Nadal] has lost, so you cannot take anything for granted."
There were worrying moments when Murray, who missed this season's French Open with a back problem, was seen wincing and holding his side several times but he played down any concerns.
"There's no cause for concern. My back is what it is. It's felt way, way better than it was a few weeks ago," he added.
"There's a few times on the court where you feel things. You just have to find a way of managing those issues and getting through them because a lot of guys have had problems during this Slam especially.
"A lot of guys have had trainers on court and whatnot. So everyone's got little niggles. You just have to manage them and get through it."
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Olympics: 6-0
Queens: 5-0
Wimbledon: 4-0
If you break it down in to sets, it looks pretty handy too! 35 sets won and just 3 lost across the 15 matches. Sometimes it is easy to forget how consistent Andy has become. We have a true great and should treasure him while we can!
He is by far the best British tennis player in my lifetime (33 years) and I expect him to win Wimbledon at some point, maybe even this year if he reaches top form.
Please let this be the year. Four down, three to go...C'mon Andy!!
Ps, when i say we and our I mean Britain (and Im scottish)
Such a shame about Laura Robson though.
#37 and possibly #40 being a case in point.
I suspect all are expecting a Murray/Djokovic Final with neither losing a set beforehand. The condition both players arrive in could be a decisive factor.
The stats indicate quite clearly who is the world no1 on grass right now and I hope that on Sunday 77 years of hurt will be behind all of us Brits. No matter if Scot, Welsh Irish or English, united for Andy M.
Well done Andy!!
The more upset the anti-brigate become, the louder I laugh at them. Their names suggest they are football fans (no surprise there), which means they are still angry with Andy's little 7-year old joke with Tim Henman. It's about time they behaved like grown ups. Their comments reflect on themselves, not Andy.
"Tennis , a sport loved by people who don't like sport zzz"
Oh excellent! Now we have a comment from a clown who has deliberately sought out the discussion on tennis, to say he doesn't like tennis. Astounding boredom on display there...
Maybe the rules are too complicated for you, but stick with it eh?