Murray fells giant Karlovic as Kvitova joins seeds exodus

Andy Murray cut down Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic to reach the French Open last-16 Friday as two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova became the fourth top 10 women’s seed to be knocked out.

Murray, a three-time semi-finalist, had needed two five-set matches and three days of play to get to the last 32.

But on Friday the 29-year-old needed just a shade under two hours to beat 6ft 11in (2.11m) Karlovic 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).

It was his seventh win in seven matches against the 37-year-old as Murray goes on to face either John Isner of the United States or Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia.

“Especially at the end it was very close. I got off to a quick start and against someone like Ivo that’s very important,” said Murray.

“I was glad to win that tiebreak at the end.”

Canada’s eighth seed Milos Raonic overcame a left hip injury to defeat Slovakian lucky loser Andrej Martin, the world number 133, and reach the last 16 for a second time. AFP