Andy Murray dragged his means via a drama-filled encounter in opposition to a wilting Matteo Berrettini to succeed in the second spherical of the Miami Open on Wednesday.
The previous world No 1 wrote on the court-side TV digital camera that there’s ‘life within the outdated canine but’ after pulling off a formidable comeback victory.
He has had loads of pleasure in Miami since making his debut 18 years in the past, successful in 2009 and 2013, and is dreaming of yet one more shot at glory on his swansong look.
Murray was going through the potential of a first-round exit as he misplaced the opening set however he fought again and when Berrettini, enjoying his first ATP Tour match because the US Open, suffered dizzy spells he pounced to seal a 4-6 6-3 6-4 success.
“I think in terms of the way I played and the important moments in that match, I did a good job,” Murray advised Laura Robson after his win.
“I used to be down 0-40 close to the top when it was 3-2, and I additionally created loads of possibilities to go up a double break as properly and hadn’t received it, stayed robust there and performed some good factors.
“I moved properly, and dictated loads of the match, which is not simple in opposition to him. As soon as I received the stability proper in opposition to him, I felt like I dictated loads of the factors.
“I played a smart match when I needed to.
“I am very completely different on the tennis courtroom, I am not a robotic, I am a bit odd, a bit unusual, however I play higher once I’m like that.”
Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, is getting back from prolonged harm issues, which confirmed later within the match, however he began properly by breaking Murray within the opening sport, sealing it with a blistering forehand down the road.
Murray, 36, missed two possibilities to interrupt again at 3-2 and that proved essential as Berrettini’s monster serve allowed him to see out the primary set.
The second set noticed an enchancment and Murray’s likelihood got here in a marathon sixth sport as he broke on the third try with a candy forehand return.
Berrettini’s well being took a flip for the more severe when he was about to serve initially of the eighth sport as he suffered a wobble and wanted to make use of his racket as a crutch to cease himself from collapsing.
Docs checked his blood stress and after an extended break, the Italian was in a position to proceed, however Murray quickly despatched it to a decider.
When the Scot received one other 12-minute sport on Berrettini’s serve within the opening sport, the writing was on the wall.
Murray performed some intelligent tennis, operating his weary opponent aspect to aspect because the Italian continued to undergo.
He did must struggle again from 0-40 down halfway via the decider and that ended Berrettini’s problem as Murray received for simply the fourth time in 2024.
Life within the outdated canine but!
Story of the Tape
‘Murray lifted his stage between units such as you would not imagine’
“There certainly is life in the old dog,” stated Annabel Croft on Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“Who would have believed from the level he had at the end of the first set that he’d be able to bring the level up as he did?
“There have been a few factors he made extraordinary winners, and you’re feeling he began to psychologically get into the pinnacle of Berrettini.
“By the end, Berrettini was physically and mentally beaten up by Murray, which is what Murray had done his whole career against opponents.”
Henman: Berrettini was in management however then seemed everywhere in the store
“Berrettini broke Murray’s serve in the first game of the match, and really looked like he was in control. But then he was just all over the shop, and there had been no other signs of fatigue. It’s not hot by Miami standards, and you saw Berrettini looking distressed at the change of ends,” stated Tim Henman.
“The doctor came on and took his blood pressure, he took plenty of supplements and chocolate bars, but he looked very dizzy and unstable.
“Murray slowly gained the benefit and when you see your opponent wobbling like that, actually, you must be sure to actually focus and you do not surrender any low-cost factors.
“He got the momentum in the third set, and there is certainly life in the old dog yet.”
Draper makes spectacular begin to Miami marketing campaign
Jack Draper put in an assured efficiency to beat Taro Daniel and attain the second spherical in type.
The Briton, ranked No 42 on the earth, overcame his Japanese opponent 6-3 6-2 in 69 minutes to arrange a second-round assembly with twenty second seed Nicolas Jarry.
Seeking to bounce again from a disappointing first-round exit in Indian Wells, Draper was by far the superior participant in opposition to the world No 78 in Florida, hitting 25 winners and had a 97 per cent success price on his first serve.
A run of 9 factors out of 10 halfway via the primary set allowed him to imagine management, sealing a decisive break with a searing crosscourt backhand.
He served out the set with a flurry of aces and he was quickly knocking on the door within the second, lacking break factors within the opening sport.
Draper made his transfer within the third sport with a backhand cross which Daniel left after which noticed land on the road.
A second break put him on the verge of victory and he noticed it out with a formidable maintain, taking match level with a crunching forehand.
Croft: Actually Spectacular from Draper
“It was really impressive. It was neck-and-neck for the first couple of games on serve, and suddenly he [Draper] just made a breakthrough and never looked in doubt,” Annabel Croft advised Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“I just felt like the firepower he possesses, the level of consistency, his patience but aggressive hitting. The backhand was impressive as well.
“The serve, after all, was distinctive. No break factors.”
Henman: An awesome response
“A lefty is always a nice advantage, but it was impressive how Draper was able to hit all four corners (on serve),” stated Tim Henman.
“He’s serving big, averaging over 120mph, and then when you’re hitting the spot so consistently, it really gives your opponent nothing to get their teeth stuck into.
“You see that variation. If you have a look at the evaluation and stats on the finish of the match, he solely misplaced one level behind the primary serve. He received 28 of 29 factors. That is such a superb basis.
“On the back of a really disappointing performance in Indian Wells, this is a great response from Jack Draper.”
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