Daytime warrior Andy Murray felt compelled to book a rare practice session under lights after powering into the Australian Open semi-finals at the expense of outclassed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on Wednesday.
All of Murray’s first five matches to date at the 2013 Open have been in the heat of the day – and all have ended in straight-sets victories.
But the semi-final against either Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be the feature match on Friday night at Rod Laver Arena.
While that encounter was taking place, the third-seeded Murray was getting his eye in with a hit-out at Hisense Arena.
“It’s purely for the lights,” said Murray.
“I played a couple of matches in Brisbane in the evening but it’s slightly different there because there’s a roof too.
“That’s why I’ll go out there and I’ll … do the same tomorrow.”
The reigning US Open champion needed only one hour and 51 minutes to see off Chardy’s challenge 6-4 6-1 6-2, with the Scot getting more impressive as the match wore on.
“You have to trust yourself that when you’re tested, you’re going to play your best tennis,” said Murray.
“In the build up to the tournament I played very well and I haven’t lost a set here yet.
“So maybe I’m expecting to play too well or whatever.
“But I’ve done a good job so far in this tournament and I can’t be disappointed with where my game’s at.
“And I hope that in the next round I play better again.”
The loss brought to an end the 25-year-old Chardy’s best grand slam campaign.
He had beaten seeds in each of the previous three rounds, with his best victory the tough five-setter over No.6 Juan Martin del Potro from Argentina in the third round.