Melbourne: Andy Murray turned back time on Tuesday, saving a match point on his way to a stunning 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7(7) 7-6 [10-6] upset over 13th seed Matteo Berrettini to reach the second round of Australian Open 2023.
Never one to hide his emotions, the British legend roared with delight after securing his 50th win at Melbourne Park.
Just before Murray and Berrettini took to court, the Australian Open heat-stress scale clicked to five, sparking the closure of Rod Laver Arenas roof.
The 35-year-old Scotsman seized a break chance in the second game, and the master of defence carried the advantage to close out the set, urged on by coach and two-time champion Ivan Lendl. The second set unfolded much like the first, with the former world No.1 scoring breaks in both the opening and closing games.
The only time Murray, a father of four, has lost a Grand Slam match from a two-sets-to-love lead was almost a generation of tennis players ago, at Wimbledon 2005. But the 26-year-old Italian isnt one to fade without a fight he levelled up with well-placed groundstrokes, and snared two breaks and the third set.
Both competitors dug deep in during the fourth, but after untimely misfires from Murray, it was Berrettini who gained the upper hand, clinching the dramatic tiebreak 9-7 after fumbling two earlier set points.
Looking every bit the wounded warrior with blood trickling down his right shin following a tumble, the Scot settled in for his 40th-ever fifth set. Serving at 4-5, Murray saved match point as a Berrettini backhand found its way into the middle of the net. He held his nerve and serve to force a decisive match tie-break.
Racing to a quick 5-0 lead, Murray steeled himself to victory with a net-cord winner as the crowd erupted in scenes reminiscent of his glory days.
Murray now assumes the 13th seeds place in the draw, and faces either Thanasi Kokkinakis or Fabio Fognini in the second round.
(With UNI inputs)
