In a match lasting a staggering five hours and 45 minutes, Andy Murray calls upon his fighting qualities to defeat Thanasi Kokkinakis, after finding himself two sets down against the Australian.
abc.net.au/news/australian-open-andy-murray-defeats-thanasi-kokkinakis/101874622Former world number one Andy Murray has gallantly fought back from two sets down to defeat Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open, with the match lasting five hours and 45 minutes.
What made Murray's win even more remarkable was the fact he was coming off a five-set win over Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in the first round, that match lasting four hours and 49 minutes. As both players fought off fatigue, the quality of tennis did not diminish in the fifth and final set, with Kokkinakis and Murray each reeling off some superb backhand winners.
Kokkinakis found himself 0-40 down to present Murray with three break points but he saved each, with a brilliant crosscourt forehand bringing up deuce. He converted on the fourth with a forehand winner, before pumping his fists as he turned to face his support team in the crowd.The five-time Australian Open finalist will play Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.
The second set was an arm wrestle, with neither player coughing up a break point until the ninth game.
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