Andy Murray once again proved that he's one of the best grass-court players in the world, winning an ATP Challenger event in Surbiton.
Only a few years ago, Murray was one of the most feared players when it came to the grass courts. He won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, and also became a two-time Wimbledon champion in 2013 and 2016.
However, also because of injuries which plagued his career, the 2016 Wimbledon victory was the last for the Brit on the green surface. Now, seven years later, he once again showed his qualities, this time competing at an ATP Challenger tournament in Surbiton.
While Novak Djokovic wrote history by winning the 23rd Grand Slam title, Murray had his own final to play. The second seed in Surbiton took on Jurij Rodionov from Austria after beating Hyeon Chung, Yunchaokete Bu, Jason Kubler, and Jordan Thompson.
Only a few weeks ago, Murray won a Challenger title in Bordeaux, which was historic because of the time span between the first and last triumph on the ATP Challenger Tour. Now, he had a chance to extend that time span even further.
The Austrian was playing great tennis leading up to the final, but playing against Murray, who he lost to in Surbiton last year, seemed to be a too big challenge for Rodionov.
In 2022, he lost to the Brit in only 59 minutes, winning only three games. This year, his effort was better, but the match lasted only eleven more minutes, with Murray prevailing once again.
But it wasn't without a rain delay that came in the second set when the three-time Grand Slam champion was up a set and a break, with three break points.
Once the players returned to the court, Murray's dominance continued. After an hour and 10 minutes, he won the match 6-3, 6-2, claiming his first grass-court title in seven years.
Up next, Murray signed up for another grass-court Challenger tournament, this time in Nottingham. His goal will be to gain top form before he heads to the All-England Club in a bid to win his third title at Wimbledon.
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