'Astounding' Andy Murray feat leaves tennis fans in awe
Former world No.1 Andy Murray battled through to his first semi-final in almost two and a half years at the European Open in Antwerp.
The 32-year-old Scot was forced to dig deep against Romanian qualifier Marius Copil, eventually wrapping up a 6-3 6-7 (9-7) 6-4 victory in two hours and 36 minutes.
Murray is now in position to challenge for his 46th ATP title, although playing three - or potentially four - matches in as many days will be unchartered territory since his return from hip surgery.
Nevertheless, his incredible run has been labelled an "inspiration" by fans just excited to see him back playing brilliant tennis.
.@andy_murray has reached his first tour-level SF in over two years 💪
He's defeated Marius Copil 6-3 6-7 6-4 to reach the last four at the @EuroTennisOpen.
🎥: @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/mpkVhWTn9b— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 18, 2019
@andy_murray This guy should be an inspiration to us all. Just think about where he was mentally and physically 12 months ago. Best of luck Andy.
— Charlie Big Potatoes (@CharlieBP) October 18, 2019
Andy Murray is officially back folks. 🎾🏴 https://t.co/bckvTa6srM
— Dr. Grant Campbell (@Stato_Grant) October 18, 2019
I must say it's pretty astounding just how quickly @andy_murray comeback is going. 9 months since surgery, first semi since 2017, back in top 200 already, and the movement is phenomenal. He's always had the tennis, the grit and determination, but what he's doing now is incredible
— Jon Phillips (@JonPhil81081632) October 18, 2019
Crazy how well Andy Murray is doing given he's had a whole new hip replacement
— Lewis Cousins (@Lewis_S_Cousins) October 18, 2019
@andy_murray congratulations on your first semi in two years, Kim must be delighted!! Genuinely brilliant to see you back playing so well.
— Mark Bracey (@Poogmobile) October 18, 2019
Congratulations Andy Murray you made us all proud here in England 🏴
— mariegarratt (@mariegarratt) October 18, 2019
They say the hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life and the truth is @andy_murray is having quite a comeback... 🙌🏻
Today, he booked his spot in a SF for the first time in 28 months after a three-set thriller against Marius Copil.#EuropeanOpen | @atptour pic.twitter.com/yGrdrgmnnY— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) October 18, 2019
Murray has been feeling his elbow in Belgium this week as he gets back up to speed with the rigours of serving, and he flexed the arm occasionally.
But the metal hip passed another stern examination, Copil throwing in plenty of drop shots to test Murray's movement in another encouraging step on the road back towards challenging the top.
Three breaks of the booming Copil serve - with one drop of his own - saw Murray wrap up the first set in 44 minutes.
But the dogged Copil, already a break down and seemingly heading for the exit facing further break points, fended them off and hauled himself level at 5-5 before snatching the tie-break, Murray unable to convert his one match point.
The momentum seemed to be with Copli but he blinked first in the decider, two unforced errors and a first double-fault handing Murray two break points.
The two-time Wimbledon champion converted the second and served out, securing victory with an ace, to reach his first semi-final since the French Open in 2017.
Murray told Amazon Prime: "I haven't played a lot of matches in the last few years so when you get to the end of the match it's always difficult to serve it out.
"I feel OK right now, but it's more about how you feel the following day. The good thing about the indoor matches is the points are fairly short, so it doesn't take as much out of you."