Incredible Murray wins Australian Open epic at 4 am

Andy Murray put in one other creditable efficiency to return from two units right down to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in an epic Australian Open match at 04:05 native time.

The second spherical match began at 22:20 and lasted 5 hours 45 minutes.

It was the longest contest of the 35-year-old Murray’s eventful profession.

The exhausted Briton stood erect after taking his first match level earlier than having fun with a heat hug from each gamers on the internet.

Tearing up within the stands along with his mom Judy, he then set free an enormous roar as he pulled off what he thought of among the finest comebacks of his profession.

A wholesome and boisterous crowd stayed contained in the Margaret Court Arena till the very finish, offering their applause and far wanted vocal assist for the efforts of each males.

The match is the second newest end in Australian Open historical past after the 2008 third spherical match between Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis, which ended at 04:34.

Murray mentioned, “The match was full of ups and downs, there was frustration, tension, excitement, all those things.”

“Winning the match is amazing but I also want to go to bed now. I want to sleep.”

Murray is the second Briton to achieve the third spherical at Melbourne Park this 12 months, becoming a member of Dan Evans, with Cameron Norrie hoping to affix them after beating Czech teenager Jiri Lehka on Friday.

Murray makes extraordinary comeback even by his requirements

Murray has usually defied odds since getting back from hip surgical procedure in 2019 that he thought would finish his profession – together with his first-round upset over Italian thirteenth seed Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday. Including victory.

Two days later, Scott did it once more with a comeback that was extraordinary even by his requirements.

Amidst beating Berretini, Murray spoke cautiously concerning the toll the five-set thriller has had on his physique – his advancing years and the stress attributable to his implanted steel hip – earlier than dealing with the 26-year-old Kokkinakis. a mix of

“I felt better physically today than the other day, which is a positive – but finishing at 4am is not ideal,” mentioned the previous world primary.

Murray couldn’t have requested for extra time to get better, however the trade-off was enjoying in chilly situations, which led to lengthy rallies, lengthy factors and really lengthy nights.

The five-time Australian Open finalist began slowly and struggled to search out rhythm, with common chanting in his assist field an early signal that he was not blissful.

Kokkinakis was initially supported by an enormous crowd at a packed Margaret Court Arena and punished with a number of highly effective and correct forehand winners on her strategy to a two-set lead.

At that time, you puzzled how a lot power – psychological and bodily – Murray had left within the tank.

About 4 hours later, we had a solution.

Murray trailed 5–2 within the third set, however used all his expertise to maintain his composure as Kokkinakis turned tight when he tried to serve for the match.

A terrific indirect smash summed up the strain felt by the world No. 159 and Murray used the momentum to dominate the fourth set.

Deep into the decider it was nonetheless unattainable to foretell with confidence who would emerge because the winner, however Murray broke by way of within the decider at 5–5 and took a unprecedented victory.

Murray mentioned, “It was the longest match I’ve ever played, but in those conditions what’s going to happen is going to happen.”

“To play in the cold at that time of day and with balls like that, you’re going to get long rallies and long scores.”

The one factor that has eluded the previous world primary since his return in 2019 is one other deep run like he did with regularity in his prime.

If he manages to get better sufficient to beat Spanish twenty fourth seed Roberto Bautista Agut – coincidentally the person he thought is perhaps his final Grand Slam match earlier than a hip operation 4 years in the past – He would attain the fourth spherical of a serious. First time since 2017.

‘Who advantages from this?’ – Unhappy with Murray’s late end

The late end raised additional questions on why tennis permits this to occur and additional scrutiny of the scheduling.

During the match, Murray shouted his frustration after lacking some extent and requested why they had been “still playing at 3 o’clock”.

Afterwards, he continued to specific his displeasure and advised a crowd of reporters ready in a hall beneath Rod Laver Arena to hurry the exit, saying it was a “spectacle”.

“Who is it beneficial for? A match like this and that’s the buzz. Instead of an epic match, it ends in a spectacle,” he mentioned.

“Amazingly, the blokes stayed until the tip and created an environment, I actually respect it. Some individuals have to work.

“But if my kid was a ball kid for a tournament and they’re coming home at 5 in the morning then I’m taunting him.

“It’s not useful for them, the umpires, the officers. I do not assume it is stunning for the followers. It’s not good for the gamers.”