British number one Andy Murray should be refreshed for his Australian Open quarter-final clash against Japan’s Kei Nishikori after his fourth round opponent Mikhail Kukushkin retired after only 48 minutes of action.
After Murray had broken Kukushkin’s serve in the opening game of the third set, the world number 92 decided enough was enough and called it a day.
Kukushkin struggled to cope with the soaring temperatures in Melbourne and retired from the contest with the score at 6-1 6-1 1-0.
Murray, who is 4/1 with bookmaker to win the Australian Open, said after his easy win: “I played him a few weeks ago (in Brisbane) and it was a tough match. I expected another one today but it’s so hot. I get to conserve a bit of energy but he was obviously struggling.”
The Scot is 1/14 to beat Nishikori and win through to the semi-finals.