CNN
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Andy Murray’s fairytale run on the Australian Open got here to an finish on Saturday after he was overwhelmed by Roberto Bautista Agut.
The three-time grand slam winner has thrilled crowds in Melbourne this yr by rolling again the years to win two marathon matches however Bautista Agut proved a step too far.
The Spaniard gained in 4 units – 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-4 – and regarded relieved to have lastly discovered a well past his opponent when he gained match level.
Murray had spent greater than 10.5 hours on court docket heading into the third spherical match and he struggled to maneuver at factors.
The 35-year-old had wanted 5 units to beat Matteo Berrettini within the first spherical of the event after which rallied from two units all the way down to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in an epic contest which lasted 5 hours and 45 minutes and completed at 4.05am. The second spherical match, which completed on Friday morning, was the longest of Murray’s profession.
It was no shock, then, that Murray regarded exhausted as he struggled to get grips with the primary set which was over earlier than it actually started.
However, as he has carried out all through his profession, Murray dug deep and rallied from a break down within the second set to win an astonishing tie break.
It was yet one more instance of the grit and willpower Murray brings to the game of tennis however, on this event, it simply wasn’t sufficient.
The grueling second set appeared to take its toll on Murray as Bautista Agut had the sting for the remainder of the match.
Murray by no means went away although, and continued to punish his opponent till the very finish and produced an array of beautiful pictures.
After dropping match level, Murray acquired a standing ovation from the gang as he limped off the court docket.
The pair had beforehand met on the Margaret Courtroom Enviornment in 2019 in what was supposedly Murray’s final sport on the grand slam.
However the veteran determined to proceed his profession and, after receiving a number of therapies for accidents, Murray has proved he nonetheless has extra to present 4 years later.
“2 days in the past I randomly ran into the physician who in 2017 informed me ‘the excellent news is the issue you may have in your hip could be mounted however you gained’t be capable of play skilled sport once more.’ I feel we dispelled that delusion the final 5 days,” Murray tweeted after the match on Saturday.
Bautista Agut will now play American Tommy Paul within the final 16.
“All the time taking part in Andy could be very powerful,” Bautista Agut mentioned throughout his on-court interview.
“He is aware of very nicely tips on how to play a grand slam match. I’m proud of how I dealt with the nerves and rigidity via the match, to play good tennis. I’m very proud of the win.”
