Stefanos Tsitsipas edged out Andy Murray in a five-set thriller that was pushed back by the Wimbledon's curfew.
Murray and Tsitsipas embarked on a second-round duel, which was already their third meeting on the ATP Tour. Previously, the two clashed over a toilet break in the Flushing Meadows, but all was seemingly good ahead of their clash in the All England Club.
The contest began on Thursday, but due to Wimbledon's curfew regulation, it extended into the following day, adding a unique layer of anticipation and tension to the spectacle. Tsitsipas started the encounter on a high note.
Following a grueling five-set opener in the tournament, he was tested early by the two-time Wimbledon champion. The first set, punctuated by high-level tennis from both players, went into a tie-break. Tsitsipas was able to claim the tie-break, 7-3, and start the match on a winning note.
Despite trailing, Murray's fighting spirit was far from dampened. In the second set, the man who made a name for himself as a "comeback master" in 2023, launched a relentless counter-offensive. Egged on by the home crowd, Murray remained break point-less but emerged victorious in the tie-break, squaring the match by winning it 7-2.
Carrying the momentum forward, Murray established an early lead in the third set, winning eight of the first nine points and breaking Tsitsipas' serve. He overcame two break points and a disconcerting injury scare, soldiering on to take the third set 6-4.
As the anticipation built, the supervisor had to halt the match due to the Wimbledon curfew, a rule designed to balance the demands of an international event with the considerations of the local residents.
The highly-anticipated match resumed on Friday, right after Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexandre Muller on the Centre Court. Once more, the players found themselves locked in a tie-break in the fourth set. This time, Tsitsipas was the one to rise to the occasion, claiming the tie-break 7-3 and pushing the match into a decisive fifth set.
The final set saw Murray stumble at the outset, losing his serve after facing a triple break point. Tsitsipas seized the opportunity, masterfully controlling the set with his serve. After four hours and 43 minutes of breathtaking tennis, Tsitsipas emerged victorious with a scoreline of 7-6(3), 6-7(2), 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, booking a place in the third round against Serbia's Laslo Djere.
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