CNN
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Andy Murray produced one more Herculean effort on the Australian Open, getting back from two units and a break down in opposition to house favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis in a match that went on previous 4 a.m. in Melbourne.
At 5 hours and 45 minutes, it was the longest match of Murray’s illustrious profession, because the 35-year-old – enjoying with a metallic hip following a joint resurfacing operation in 2019 – finally prevailed 4-6 6-7 7-6 6-3 7-5 to succeed in the third spherical.
Kokkinakis shall be left to rue what might need been after serving for the match at 5-4 within the third set – “This f*****g sport man,” he tweeted afterward, accompanied by a tragic face – however the night time shall be all about Murray and his exceptional turnaround after 4 years of principally ache and heartbreak following that surgical procedure.
After a grueling five-setter in opposition to Matteo Berrettini within the opening spherical, most viewers puzzled whether or not Murray would have something left within the tank for spherical two. He did – after which some.
There have been occasions throughout the match, specifically throughout that third set, when Murray appeared down and out, trudging again to the baseline after each level with an exhausted expression on his face.
Not solely did the Scot cling in there, he rolled again the years to provide some gorgeous tennis in what ended up being the second-longest match in Australian Open historical past.
One level specifically will definitely reside lengthy within the reminiscence. With Kokkinakis two units up and main 2-0 within the third set, Murray improbably chased down 5 successive pictures that every one ought to have been winners, earlier than finally forcing his opponent right into a mistake to interrupt serve.
It ended up being maybe probably the most essential level of the match, one that may little doubt go down as an all-time basic in Australia, as Kokkinakis destroyed his racket in frustration following Murray’s defensive heroics.
Murray now holds the report for many comebacks from two units down of all energetic gamers with 11 – and this one might need been his best but. That maybe sounds unusual given it was simply the second spherical of a grand slam in opposition to a participant ranked 159th on the earth, however within the context of what Murray has been by in recent times, few comebacks can have felt sweeter.
When requested in his on-court interview how he had turned the match on its head, Murray was nearly perplexed.
“I imply, I don’t know … it was unbelievable that I managed to show that round,” he stated with a stutter. “Thanasi was enjoying … serving unbelievable, hitting his forehand big and I don’t understand how I managed to get by it.
“I did begin enjoying higher because the match went on and, yeah, I’ve a giant coronary heart.
“Now, I’m outright the [player with] most matches getting back from two units to like down, so I’ve performed it earlier than,” Murray added.
“I’ve expertise of it and I depend on that have and that drive and that combat, and my love of the sport and competing, and my respect for this occasion and the competitors. That’s why I stored going.”
Murray will now play the No. 24 seed Roberto Bautista Agut, who additionally got here from two units down earlier on Thursday, for a spot within the third spherical.
It stays to be seen simply how a lot Murray has left to provide in Australia, but when this match has taught us something, it’s to by no means write him off.
