Tennis: Toilet break enrages Murray

Kevin Anderson. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Cool Swiss Roger Federer restored order after Andy Murray lost his rag in an explosive exit from the US Open in New York.

As Federer advanced with a minimum of fuss to a record 46th grand slam quarter-final, Murray snapped and challenged officials to fine him as his streak of 18 consecutive last-eight appearances at a major was shattered by Kevin Anderson.

Anderson, the 15th seed, smashed a 0-15 career hoodoo against top-10 opponents with a tense 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-0) win over the 2012 champion at Flushing Meadows.

"It was the match of my life," the South African said. "Andy is such a great fighter and amazing player."

But Murray's expletive-laden mid-match tirade spectacularly overshadowed Anderson's win.

Livid about Anderson's lengthy bathroom break after the second set, Murray dropped a series of F-bombs then smashed a racquet and bashed a ball into the crowd in frustration as his Open hopes slipped away.

"F***ing fine me," Murray raged during Anderson's toilet trip.

Federer also had to wait out a bathroom break from his opponent after the second set, but, as usual, kept his cool to safely progress with a 7-6 (7-0), 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 victory over American 13th seed John Isner.