‘Comeback is a huge success’ – Andy Murray impresses Mats Wilander with battling Australian Open win
Mats Wilander was thoroughly impressed with Andy Murray after his five-set victory but worries about the Brit’s physical recovery.
At the Sydney Tennis Classic last week, three-time Slam champion Murray overcame world number 23 Nikoloz Basilashvili in a tough fought three-setter.
Fast forward a week later to the Australian Open and Murray once again beat Basiliashvili in yet another match that went all the way
After undergoing a second hip surgery back in 2019, Murray has been steadily rising up the ATP Tour rankings ever since.
Towards the back-end of last season, Murray earned some impressive victories, beating world number nine Hubert Hurkacz at the Vienna Open to claim his first top 10 victory of the year as well as overcoming 18-year-old Spanish prospect Carlos Alcaraz and Italian sensation Jannik Sinner.
In Sydney, Murray also reached his first final since 2019 after beating Basilashvili and Reilly Opelka, but ultimately lost to Aslan Karatsev.
Speaking with Eurosport’s The Cube, seven-time Major winner Mats Wilander said: “Andy Murray’s comeback is a big success to me.
“The fact he is back physically, being able to play for over four hours is incredible.
“The fact he has had surgeries and he went down and he played in the lowest level of professional tennis to gain some match experience and some confidence.
“To then come back and play in front of thousands of people with the pressure that that brings and seem to enjoy it this way.
“The comeback is a huge success, it doesn’t matter when he ends in terms of rankings.”
Murray will face Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the second round and Wilander recognises the British icon will go into the match as the favourite, but believes Murray’s recovery will also play a big part.
Wilander said: “Andy’s next opponent, Taro Daniel, is a good tennis player, he is solid, but it is going to be up to Murray’s physical recovery I believe because who knows how he is going to recover.
“I am sure he is going to do everything he can. Emotionally, I am sure he will be charged up for this match.
“But suddenly the tables are turned and he is the favourite and he has to pressure him because he has the chance to get to the third round of a Grand Slam.
“This is a massive match for Andy Murray.”
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