Andy Murray showed his incredible fighting spirit at this year's Australian Open, when he won already two five-set marathon matches.
His second-round opponent, Thanasi Kokkinakis entered the 2023 Australian Open as world no. 159 and therefore he could except to face a higher-ranked player in almost every match that he would enter. In the first round, he had no problems with Fabio Fognini, but in the second, he took on former world no. 1, Andy Murray.
The three-time Grand Slam champion defeated the thirteenth-seeded Matteo Berrettini in the first round, and he wanted to finally make his first deep run at a major since his injury.
But the 2022 Australian Open doubles champion, who was heavily supported by the home crowd, was against that. Kokkinakis was the first player to face break points in the match, but he was also the first player to break. The Australian used one of his five chances in the first set while saving all three of his opponent's break points, to win the first set 6-4 in 53 minutes.
Kokkinakis was the first player to break also in the second set, as he wanted to extend his lead in the match. The Australian was serving for a set and even had three set points, but his more experienced opponent broke him back and forced a tie-break in the second set. Yet, the Scot couldn't follow up on his efforts from the tenth game and lost the tie-break 4-7.
Confident after the second set finish, Kokkinakis started very well in the second set, getting an early break and leading 2-0. But he was broken back once again as Murray tied the score at 2-2.
The home crowd favourite broke his opponent once again and soon, he was serving for the match. Despite getting as close as two points to advancing into the third round, Kokkinakis couldn't finish the job and Murray forced yet another tie-break.
This time, the former world no. 1 managed to win the tie-break, 7-5, and force the fourth set against the Australian, who couldn't believe the volley miss that he produced on a set point.
Both players were aware of how important was the fourth set, as after 27 minutes, only the first two games were played. After 40 minutes, the scoreboard showed 2-2, with none of the players willing to give up their serve.
Eventually, more-experienced Murray remained more calm in tense situation and after saving six break points in the fourth set, and using one out of four chances he had, he won the set 6-3 to force a decider.
The Australian started trusting his shots more again in the fifth set, especially, when he faced three break points in the seventh game. He managed to save those, but Murray created four more chances in the eleventh break, and after using his eighth break point, he was only one game away from winning the match.
The former world no. 1 used all of his experience to win the game and the match in five hours and 47 minutes, 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 7-5. He will take on the 24th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.
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