Andy Murray celebrated his first win over a top-20 opponent at a Grand Slam since 2017. Dates: 16-29 January Venue: Melbourne Park Coverage: Commentary daily from 07:00 GMT on Radio 5 Sports Extra ‘Tennis Breakfast’ live from Melbourne, with selected live text commentary and match reports on the BBC Sport website and app .
Britain’s Andy Murray produced one of his best performances in years to hold off 13th seed Matteo Berretini of Italy to win a five-set thriller in the first round of the Australian Open.
The 35-year-old Scot looked stunned after completing a 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (10-6) victory on Rod Laver Arena.
Murray, who thought hip surgery in 2019 would end his career, saved a match point at 5-4 in the decider.
Dan Evans also finished after beating Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis.
The Englishman, seeded 25th, won 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-4 in a first-round match that was delayed for three hours due to extreme heat in Melbourne.
Former world number one Murray later ensured four Britons would play in the second round – after Emma Raducanu and Cameron Norrie won on Monday – with a memorable victory over last year’s semi-finalist Berretini.
It was Murray’s first win over a top-20 opponent at a Grand Slam since 2017.
After leading 6-1 in the first-to-10 final set tiebreak, Murray secured victory with a forehand that took a huge chunk of the net and left Berretini stranded.
The three-time major champion will play either Italian veteran Fabio Fognini or Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in Thursday’s second round.
“I’ll feel it tonight and tomorrow, but right now I’m incredibly happy and proud of myself,” said Murray, a five-time runner-up in Melbourne.
“I worked to give myself the opportunity to perform in games like this and against players like Matteo. It paid off tonight.
“In the end I was a bit unlucky with the net rope but I felt like some of the tennis was really good.
“He is an amazing player and one of the best competitors.”
Evans, 32, will next play French veteran Jeremy Chardy.
The British number two had led from two sets to one when the players were taken off the court as temperatures topped 35C at Melbourne Park.
Cooler conditions when they returned at 5pm local time – after a three-hour break – helped Evans to a 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-4 victory.
Evans defeated Bagniss in the first round as he reached the last 16 at Melbourne in 2017 – a career-best result at Melbourne
More to come.
Add Comment