Murray vs Kokkinakis: Andy Murray persevered through the night to pull off yet another remarkable victory at the Australian Open. At 4 am in Melbourne, Murray defeated local favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis after falling behind 2 sets to 1.
In the 3rd set of their 2nd-round match on a boisterous, hostile Margaret Court Arena, Kokkinakis stood for the win at 5-3, but Murray yet again proved that his biggest strength is a tenacious unwillingness to surrender during Murray vs Kokkinakis encounter. The 35-year-old forced a decisive set and won it at 4.05 in the morning after fighting for over 5 hours to defeat Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday. This victory was his finest since 2017. It finished the 3rd-latest time ever for a tennis match, lasting 5 hours and 45 minutes—the longest contest in Murray’s entire professional career.
Thanasi Kokkinakis showed signs of winning the contest
Murray vs Kokkinakis: The 35-year-old Murray trailed by 2 sets and 2-5 versus a motivated Kokkinakis, but he showed his signature warrior grit to eventually squeeze out a triumph, 4-6/ 6-7/ 7-6/ 6-3/ 7-5, after 5 hours and 45 minutes.
It was soon after 4.05 am local time when Murray won his 250th Grand Slam match, yet a sizable and boisterous audience inside the Margaret Court Arena had stayed firmly seated during the whole match. The 3-time Grand Slam winner, whose legacy has been riddled with these struggles, put out yet another incredible performance. Murray has steadfastly declined to retire despite having a partially metal hip implanted in 2019.
Murray vs Kokkinakis: Andy Murray’s thirst for the win
Murray vs Kokkinakis: Strangely, Murray will now face Roberto Bautista Agut, the opponent who defeated him at the 2019 Australian Open, when Murray’s campaign seemed to be ended due to the hip issue.
Murray clearly did not care as he once more showed his voracious thirst for a fight. Even if it was silly to have a top sport happening at this hour. With ferocious tennis and ball-striking that seemed to make fun of his global standing of 159. The 26-year-old Kokkinakis, whose personal career has been too frequently obstruct by injury, controlled the first 2 sets.
Murray vs Kokkinakis: Both players endeavored their best for triumph
Murray vs Kokkinakis: When Kokkinakis trailed 5-2 in the 3rd set and the Australian poised to record his largest career victory, Murray’s fight appeared to be in vain. But Murray resisted leaving.
As Murray threw restraint to the wind and concentrated on to his objective. Kokkinakis’ strokes progressively lost their ferocity as the finish line came into view. Murray fought his way into the match again with tenacity. Claiming the 4th set with an ace on his 2nd serve to force a 5th and final set.
Murray vs Kokkinakis: Andy Murray’s experience earned him the victory
Murray vs Kokkinakis: The boisterous energy within the stadium energized him early in set 5 as he maintained his lead on serve. Chaos ensued when Kokkinakis was well within 2 points from winning. When Murray defended at 4-5 in the deciding after saving 4 break chances at 3-3.
Murray, however, had more expertise in these types of matches. Which allowed him to use a magnificent forehand strike to break serve in the subsequent game. And then a backhand winner on his initial match point to secure the triumph during Murray vs Kokkinakis contest.
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