Andy Murray repeats Wimbledon heroics as Australian Open preparation intensifies
Andy Murray claimed a tight win over Nikoloz Basilashvili in the second round of Sydney, the same man he defeated in the first round of Wimbledon last year.ย
The former world number one looked controlled in the opening set as he went up an early break and served for the set at 5-3.
But from there Murray was unable to close it out, Basilashvili eventually claiming it 7-4 in a tiebreak.
Murray again served for the set at 5-4 in the second, but was once again denied by the Georgian, the set going to another tiebreak.
After going 3-0 up with an early mini-break, Murray faced this incredible piece of good fortune for Basilashvili as his serve hit the net and then the net post to bounce in for a let.
This sums up Andy’s day so far… pic.twitter.com/DdZgdOB9mI
โ Jack Edward (@jackedward1994) January 12, 2022
He did then claim the tiebreak 7-3 to force a deciding set, one which he took command of quickly by going a break up for 3-0.
Murray then closed the match 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 event after more than three hours on-court.
“I’d rather make it a bit easier on myself,” Murray admitted about the length of the match following his victory.
“It was an unbelievably tough match. [Basilashvili] is hitting the ball consistently I think better than anyone on the tour.
“He’s just taking huge cuts at everything.”
Next up, the Brit takes on former world number seven and current world number 45 David Goffin for a place in the last four after the Belgian ousted American Denis Kudla 6-2, 6-3.
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