Stefanos Tsitsipas has kept his Wimbledon title chances alive after fighting back to oust two-time Winner Andy Murray in the second part of their two-day clash on Friday.
The fifth seed was trailing two sets to one yesterday before play was suspended due to the curfew. Returning to Center Center court to face the pro-Murray crowd, the Greek battled to an epic 7-6(3),6-7(2), 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3, victory and booked his place in the third round. In doing so he has prevented his rival from claiming a 200th Grand Slam win in their career. Something that has only ever been achieved by seven men in the Open Era.
“It did not help me that much, You are dealing with a lot of things,” Tsitsipas said of returning to action for the second part of their match.
“You are dealing with Andy Murray at the other side of the net, a set down and now was the most challenging part today.
“He can return a lot of balls and make it a marathon and I had to work extra hard.
“My legs are sore, and he made he run left and run, up and down for how many hours.”
Less than 24 hours after their tantalizing clash was suspended, Murray returned to Center Court knowing that he only needed a set to lock his place in the third round. Late last night the Brit collapsed on the floor with pain in his upper leg region but he showed no issues with it on Friday.
“I wouldn’t describe it as an injury,” Murray commented during his press confrence. “I slipped. Had some initial pain and discomfort when that happened.”
Both players started where they left off with some heavy hitting. Four games into the fourth set Tsitsipas worked his way to deuce against the Murray serve but failed to break. Prompting delight from the packed crowd in the stadium which has a capacity of almost 15,000 people. It was clear how this match meant to Murray who nearly slammed his racket onto the ground after one point and then gently brushed the net after another when things didn’t go how he wanted them to.
His mood deteriorated further in the tiebreaker when Tsitsupas secured a mini break midway through after hitting a smash at the net. That sole break was enough of a margin for him to close it out and take the match into a decider.
Hopes of a home win rapidly began to fade away after a lacklustre service game from Murray enabled Tsitsipas to break once again for a 2-1 lead in the final set. Continuing to weather the storm he moved to a game away from the win. The first two match points came and went before he triumphed on his third by firing a 128mph ace out wide.
“I’m obviously very disappointed,” said Murray. “You never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to play here.’
“very year that Wimbledon’s not gone how I would like, it’s been hard.” He added.
There was further disappointment for home fans after 2022 semi-finalist Cameron Norrie suffered a shock defeat at the hands of an in-form Christopher Eubanks, who recently won the Mallorca Open. Norrie lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(3), in what is his earliest exit from the Grand Slam since 2019.
