The presence of Andy Murray (ATP: 113) in tennis championships always generates expectations and last Monday he was the protagonist again, after beating Nikoloz Basilashvili (ATP: 23), who was not an easy opponent. The confrontation had to reach the fifth set to define the winner and the Scotsman, with his great experience, imposed conditions.
The game left a 6-1; 3-6; 6-4; 6-7 and 6-4 in favor of the British, who had to fight for three hours and 55 minutes to keep the key. The demand was very great for the 34-year-old tennis player, who did not hesitate to express all the emotion contained by this close victory.
After getting the last point, Andy Murray approached his rest area, greeted the referee and Basilashvili, keeping very calm. However, moments later, he stood in the center of Melbourne’s John Cain Arena and let out an effusive shout, which echoed in the stands of the venue.
Now, the motivated Scottish athlete is getting ready to face the Japanese Taro Daniel (ATP: 120), in the round of the 32nd finals of the Australian Open. Although the road is long to dream of a title, Murray is confident of having a good role in the first Grand Slam of the year.
“It’s amazing to be back. It’s been three, four hard years. I have worked very hard to be here again. I played many times on this court and the atmosphere has been incredible. I always received fantastic support. I even thought that here, potentially, I would play my last game, but it is good to come back and win. I can not ask for more”, he explained.
“I would love to go far here, if possible. It’s been something I couldn’t get in the slams since I came back from injury and it motivates me. I hope it continues to improve. I have shown my best tennis here, being comfortable and I hope to continue doing well”, said Andy Murray, who failed to win any of the five Australian Open finals he played.
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