Andy Murray's classy post-match act after Australian Open epic
The Scot was all class after spending nearly five hours on court against Matteo Berrettini.
Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini put on an Australian Open epic after the Scot wound back the clock to prevail in a fifth set tiebreak and after several hours on court he was still able show his class. Murray defeated Berrettini 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, 7-6 after four hours and 49 minutes that left the 35-year-old in shock at his own performance.
In a vintage display inside a raucous Australian Open centre court stadium, Murray showed flashes of the champion of old as he ran the big-hitting Italian all over the court. While he nearly let a two-set to love lead slip, Murray used his experience in the tiebreak and put the pressure on Berrettini.
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The duo embraced each other at the net after the epic before Murray let out a huge roar at his achievement. However, while many would forgive Murray for taking a moment to sit down after spending close to five hours on court, the Scot opted to clean up his bench.
He also walked around the court to look for a place to put his empty water bottles so the ball kids didn't have to. Bleeding from the knee and clearly exhausted, Murray was determined to clean up with his mother watching on and before his on-court interview
As always, fans were quick to praise Murray for his down to earth nature after the match. Murray was also full of praise for Berrettini in his post-match interview after admitting they left it all out on the court.
Bet he makes his hotel bed and puts the pillows straight too! Courtesy and manners are not forced but engrained @JudyMurray 👏👏
— Alan Hardy (@Bigalanh5) January 17, 2023
Legend
— Rafael De Melchor (@RafaelDeMelchor) January 17, 2023
What a fantastic role model! A well deserved win Andy!
— BGrateful 💖 (@JkJkv) January 17, 2023
Andy Murray stuns players at Australian Open
Murray began the match in inspired fashion, taking the opening two sets to leave Berrettini in shock and the Brit's legion of fans dreaming of another fairytale moment at Melbourne Park. The Italian edged a hard-fought second set, with nothing able to separate the two players in the fourth set.
Berrettini came roaring back in the third and fourth as the Italian's serve went up a gear. Entering the fifth, it looked like Berrettini had the momentum. However, Murray held serve in some nervous moments to force a tiebreak.
The 35-year-old raced out to a 3-0 lead in the breaker after an exhibition of precision hitting from the baseline. A sloppy error at the net from Berrettini increased Murray's advantage and when the players changed ends after six points, it was the Brit who held a five-point lead. Again, Berrettini clawed his way back, but Murray stepped up into the court and forced the Italian's hand as he closed out the match in dramatic circumstances.
And it wasn't just the viewers at home that were enthralled in the epic. Footage from back stage showed nine-time Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic and Italian Fabio Fognini both intensely starting at the screen watching the epic.
Dan Evans was also seen watching on as he warmed up for his match.
You couldn't take your eyes off the Andy Murray-Matteo Berrettini match 🤩
Novak Djokovic, Fabio Fognini and Dan Evans certainly enjoyed the five-set marathon 📺#AusOpen | @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/3BRIpGUXRJ— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 17, 2023
Due to a string of rain and heat delays on Tuesday in Melbourne, Murray still doesn't know who his next opponent will be in round 2.
with AAP
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