Andy Murray received the longest match of his profession as he battled again from two units down within the second spherical of the Australian Open – an epic which lasted 5 hours and 45 minutes.
The 35-year-old’s victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis completed at 4.05am native time – the third-latest end to a tennis match ever.
Murray achieved his finest outcome since 2017, forcing a deciding set earlier than lastly claiming victory 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5 in an unforgettable match for tennis followers.
It was the 250th and longest Grand Slam match of his profession.
The longest match in historical past, between American participant John Isner and French rival Nicolas Mahut, lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes.
The primary-round match on the 2010 Wimbledon males’s singles match featured 5 units performed over three days and a a 138-point tiebreaker.
The match between Murray and Kokkinakis, on the Margaret Courtroom Enviornment in Melbourne, noticed the Australian launch a scathing rant on the umpire throughout an important second within the match
The 26-year-old acquired a warning for a time violation simply as he was about to toss the ball as much as serve throughout a 3rd deuce within the second recreation of the third set.
Thanasi Kokkinakis reacts in the course of the match in opposition to Murray Pic: AP
Kokkinakis congratulates Murray for his win Pic: AP
Kokkinakis blamed noises from the group for taking so lengthy.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray vowed to proceed enjoying after present process hip surgical procedure in 2019.
He mentioned of his win: “It is unbelievable how I managed to show that round as a result of Thanasi was serving unbelievable and hitting his forehand large.
“Yeah, I’ve an enormous coronary heart. I depend on my love and my drive and my respect for the sport, that is why I saved going.”
He added after the epic battle on court docket: “Thanks for staying, however now I believe we must always all get off to mattress.”
Murray has not gone previous the third spherical of a Grand Slam since 2017, when his hip situation got here to gentle.
He’ll now face Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat him on the 2019 Australian Open.
Murray had
