Flexible friends fire Murray closer to Federer showdown

Londres : Andy Murray will look to continue a golden winning streak against French opponents at Wimbledon on Wednesday, fired up by yoga and pilates.

The world number two, and 2013 champion at the All England Club, faces French 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the semi-finals.

The 29-year-old Murray holds a 12-2 record over Tsonga and has won all of their four meetings on grass.

In fact, since 31-year-old Tsonga defeated the British star at the 2008 Australian Open, Murray has racked up 26 successive wins over French opponents.

Murray, who is bidding to reach a seventh Wimbledon semi-final, revealed he will prepare for Wednesday's last-eight clash by doing Gyrotonic yoga and pilates.

"That was something I started doing a lot more of when I had my back surgery (in 2013)," he said.

"My back, now that I have been looking after it, doing way more different types of stretching, sort of injury prevention work, my back is no issue whatsoever."

Tsonga lost to Murray at Wimbledon in 2010 and 2012.

But Murray will not under-estimate the two-time semi-finalist.

"Tsonga is one of the best grass court players in the world. If he plays well, I'm not on my game, I can lose that match for sure," said the second seed.

Tsonga needed five sets, and four and a half hours, to beat John Isner in the third round but just 24 minutes to make the last-eight for the fourth time when compatriot Richard Gasquet retired with a back injury.

"Two days ago I was 5-5 in the third set, 15-40 against me, two sets to love down, and I came back. I'm still alive in this tournament," said Tsonga.

"So everything can happen. I'm also very confident in my capacity to play great tennis and beat players like Andy."