Murray Aims High to Beat Karlovic

A bad-tempered Andy Murray advanced to the fourth round of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells with a slender three sets victory over world No20 Ivo Karlovic.

The 20-year-old Scot made it difficult for the 6ft 10 inch Croatian to play his serve-volley game and won four of five break points to take the match 7-6 (9-7), 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 and set up a last-16 meeting with Tommy Haas of Germany.

Murray admitted he had lost his temper against Karlovic in a match largely bereft of lengthy baseline rallies. "I was disappointed with my attitude during the match," the world No11 said. "I was getting really angry and I haven't done that this year.

"I was just in a bad frame of mind and you can sometimes snap out of it, but when you're playing someone who is as frustrating to play against as him, it's difficult. I was just happy with the way I came through in the end because I was not focusing as well as I should have been," Murray told the BBC.

Both players held their opening service games but Murray - winner of the only previous meeting between the two men at the San Jose Open final last year - then played a sloppy game, handing a first break to Karlovic by netting a forehand. The big-serving Croat held comfortably to open a 3-1 lead. But three strong returns helped Murray to break back in the sixth game, and he then retained his next service game to love. The first set went to a tie-break, with Murray squandering two set points before prevailing at the third attempt.

Karlovic raced to a 3-0 lead at the start of the second set before Murray broke back in the ninth game and drew level at 5-5. A second tie-break soon followed in which Karlovic, who was previously stranded on the baseline by Murray's ground strokes, was able to advance to the net and comfortably close out the tie-break to take the match to a deciding set.

Murray bounced back in the final set, going 3-0 up with a break in the second game and looked set to ease to victory. Karlovic broke back in the seventh game but Murray responded immediately. Two cross-court forehands earned Murray a break point which he claimed, before serving out the match and winning with a delightful drop shot.