体坛英语新闻：Murray to face Dimitrov in quarters at Wimbledon

LONDON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Andy Murray advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Kevin Anderson on Monday and will face rising star Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in first real test at Wimbledon.

Finishing under a closed Centre Court roof, the Scot swept past Anderson from South Africa 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-6) to make it into last eight for the seventh year in a row.

Murray has a 3-1 win/loss over Dimitrov heading into their dual. It was the Bulgarian who won their most recent encounter, on hard court in the Acapulco semifinals earlier this year.

"Now he's starting to come into his prime," said Murray of Dimitrov. "He's won a lot of matches this year. He's a tough player. It will be a hard match for me. It's a big opportunity for him, as well, playing on the Centre Court at Wimbledon for the first time. It's a great opportunity for him. Hopefully we can play a good match."

The third-seeded Murray is yet to drop a set in four matches at the All England Club.

Against Anderson, who was playing on Centre Court for the first time, Murray raced to a 6-4, 3-0 double break lead before the rain came, forcing the players back to the locker room for 27 minutes while the roof was closed.

At the resumption, Anderson came out more aggressive and made life difficult for Murray, who was forced to save a set point in the tie-break before sealing victory in two hours and 32 minutes.

"When it was outdoors, I played well and was in a good position," Murray said. "When we came back indoors, he started to strike the ball better, he was serving better and I was dropping the ball shorter than I had done. I had more running to do at the end and I got a bit tentative. It was a good win for me; he made it tough."

The 27-year-old Murray ended Britain's 77-year wait for a homegrown male Wimbledon champion last year as he beat Novak Djokovic in the final to lift his second Grand Slam trophy.

Serbia's top seed Djokovic also had an easy time of it as he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France for the 11th match in a row on the same matchday. The Serbian master needed just one hour and 51 minutes minutes to advance at 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(7-5).

Djokovic has not lost to Tsonga since the 2010 Australian Open quarterfinals and improved to a 13-5 win/loss record against the Frenchman.

"Tsonga is a top player," said Djokovic. "I was very happy with my consistency today, mental consistency, and variety in my game. I played very well from back of the court."

For a place in the Wimbledon last four, Djokovic will challenge Marin Cilic, whom he has not lost to in nine previous meetings.