Murray Avoids Shocking Upset In Toronto Thanks To Another Hard-Fought Win

| by Erik Virostko

Andy Murray defeated Max Purcell in three sets at the 2023 Canadian Open in Toronto, but he was close to losing the match.

Performing well on the biggest stages is something that the 36-year-old Brit certainly wants to do late in his career, and one of those stages is offered also at the ATP 1000 tournament in Canada, which Murray managed to win in 2015.

However, back then, it was held in Montreal, while this year, men compete in Toronto. Moreover, after his success in 2015, Murray couldn't be so successful in the future, as he missed multiple events, but also his first win since that triumph came only this year in the first round.

In the second round of the tournament, the former world no. 1 competed against a player who knows what it feels like to win a big title, even though in doubles, as Purcell is the 2022 Wimbledon doubles champion.

In the previous round, Purcell managed to beat home crowd favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime, and after also winning two qualifying matches in straight sets, the Australian was on a six-set and three-match winning streak when entering the match against the three-time Grand Slam champion.

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Auger-Aliassime Refuses To Blame Toni Nadal For Recent String Of Losses

But Murray was determined to snap those streaks, and he did that already in the first set. After both players traded breaks, the set had to be decided in a tie-break, and the more experienced player prevailed, as the Brit secure the opening set 7-2 in the tie-break.

But in the second set, Purcell showed why he got so far at this year's Canadian Open. He used his only break point to establish a one-break lead, and after saving one late break point, he won the second set 6-3 and took the match into a decider.

The Australian started well also in the third set, breaking his opponent's serve and leading already 4-2, but that wasn't enough for him. Murray broke back and despite wasting two match points in the tenth game, he used his fourth chance to win the match in game number twelve, winning 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-5.

That means that Murray reached already the third round of the 2023 Canadian Open, and he'll have a chance to make the quarterfinals. However, a very difficult opponent will stand in his way as the seventh-seeded Jannik Sinner is ready for the match after ousting compatriot Matteo Berrettini.

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