Five-sentence crime thriller in Melbourne
Murray wins this incredible rally
After almost six hours and five sets, Andy Murray celebrated against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. Above all, a change of sides in the third set the audience in ecstasy.
Published: 7:02 p.m
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Updated: 7:08 p.m
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Judy Murray, Andy’s mom, clenches her fist in the stands.
Title favorite Novak Djokovic has cleared the next hurdle on the way to his 22nd Grand Slam title. In the second round of the Australian Open, the top Serbian player defeated Frenchman Enzo Couacaud 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-0.
On the way to his tenth title in Melbourne, Djokovic has one less major competitor: After Rafael Nadal, who was in first place, had already retired, number two on the seeding list, Casper Ruud, also said goodbye. The Norwegian surprisingly lost his second round match against Jenson Brooksby (USA) in four sets.
Match point at 04.06
But a former world number one is still there. Andy Murray. The Briton played the longest match of his career on Thursday. After almost six hours, the 35-year-old converted the first match point at 4:06 a.m. local time to 4: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7), 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 3 and 7: 5 against the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. And Murray had to unpack everything in the five-set win.
In the third, Murray won a rally he’d actually already lost. Kokkinakis was at the net, ready to convert the smash. Murray, however, fended off. The next smash came back too. And also the third. In the end, Murray celebrated the insane point. And the spectators on site with him.
Murray, who is known to have an artificial hip joint, shows great tennis. In round three he meets Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain/number 24). (AFP/mam)
All results from the Australian Open
The first tennis highlight is coming up in Melbourne: Click here for an overview of the results of the Australian Open.
The first tennis highlight is coming up in Melbourne: Click here for an overview of the results of the Australian Open.