Three years ago, in 2019, after a five-set fight, already lost to Roberto Bautista Agut, Andy Murray thought that his hip problems would force him into retirement, that they would prevent him to return to the Australian Open where he played five finals, a record for him in a Grand Slam, without being able to win. The Briton’s body may no longer be even but his warrior spirit has never let him down. Nikoloz Basilashvili, already defeated in three sets in Sydney this season, was able to realize this. The Georgian, seeded number 21, thought he had done the hardest part by pushing his opponent to a fifth set but after 3h50 of play, it was Murray who celebrated (6-1, 3-6, 6- 3, 6-7, 6-4). He will face Taro Daniel in the 2nd round.
Murray: “I’m just happy to relive matches here with you in such an atmosphere”
ATP Sydney
Still stunning, Murray will play his first final in more than two years
01/14/2022 At 08:15
No tears this time, only fight and happiness. Of course, Andy Murray did Andy Murray and was sometimes (often?) annoyed with himself, his choices, his shots. He had in front of him a player who although in difficulty in Grand Slam (no round of 16) is ranked 23rd in the world. Basilashvili had even reached the final of Indian Wells last season by dismissing Stefanos Tsitsipas in particular. But the Georgian and the Briton also and above all remembered their duel of January 12 in Sydney, which ended in 3:16 to the advantage of Murray despite the format of the two winning sets.
Murray, five years later
Were both of them expecting a Homeric battle? No doubt, but Murray got the best start with three breaks in a first set in just 23 minutes (6-1). This inaugural round was the only one-sided since despite the gain (6-3) of the second set by his opponent, Murray fought against the loss of two service games too early. It was in fact in the middle of the match that the fight was the most engaged since it took more than two hours to complete the third and fourth innings. In the latter, the Briton ran after the score and pushed Basilashvili into a tie-break won by the latter (7/5).
To be completely honest, it was feared that the case would end like it did in 2019 for Andy Murray. Doubts were quickly dispelled by the Scottish warrior who broke his opponent in the second game. Basilashvili’s break to return to 4-4 tipped the scales again. Once again, there was no doubting Murray who, on his third match point, won for the first time since 2017 in Melbourne (6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6- 4). Taro Daniel will be, in the second round, an opponent, a priori, less tough. Murray’s adventure may not be over yet.
ATP Sydney
Murray takes advantage of Goffin’s abandonment to continue and … save himself
01/13/2022 At 09:35
ATP Sydney
3h13 of fighting and suspense: Murray well deserved his quarter
01/12/2022 At 1:54 PM