On Friday, Andy Murray will resume his match at Wimbledon, needing just one more set to advance to the third round. Murray was leading Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 6-4 on Thursday when play was halted for the day on Centre Court at 10:38 p.m. Due to the curfew at 11 p.m., the match was unlikely to conclude before that time.
The match between two-time champion Murray and Tsitsipas was highly competitive, with both players putting on a thrilling display under the Centre Court roof. Tsitsipas exhibited powerful forehand shots throughout the two hours and 53 minutes they spent on the court, while Murray grew stronger as the match progressed. After dropping the first set, Murray displayed improved movement and aggression in his groundstrokes in the second and third sets, taking the lead by the end of the day.
In the final game of the third set, Murray experienced a moment of concern as he fell and grabbed his groin while serving for the set. However, he quickly recovered and secured the set on the next point. Murray will assess any potential lingering effects of the fall overnight.
Murray and Tsitsipas have a tied ATP Head2Head record of 1-1, with Tsitsipas winning their previous encounter at the 2021 US Open. The winner of their match will face Laslo Djere in the third round, following Djere’s victory over Ben Shelton.
Andy Murray seeks glory at Wimbledon
Andy Murray, with a Wimbledon record of 61-12 and two championships under his belt, is aiming for his first Top 5 victory of the season and his first since June 2022 when he defeated Tsitsipas on the grass in Stuttgart. Additionally, he vies to become one of only eight men in the Open Era to achieve 200 Grand Slam match wins.
Tsitsipas, who overcame Dominic Thiem in a five-set battle in the first round, is seeking his third appearance in the Wimbledon third round against Andy Murray. His best performance came in 2018 when he reached the fourth round.
The opening set showcased a high level of play from both Murray and Tsitsipas, serving solid performances and limited break opportunities. Tsitsipas displayed a more aggressive style, tallying 21 winners compared to Murray’s 11, but the Scot’s agility allowed him to stay competitive in rallies.
After Murray saved a set point with a perfectly placed forehand at 5-6, Tsitsipas took control in the tie-break. The World No. 5 seized the set advantage using his footwork and powerful forehand.
However, Murray fought back in the second set. He showcased solid groundstrokes with depth and maintained composure in the tie-break, committing only two unforced errors to even the score. The Scot acknowledged the crowd’s support with a triumphant fist pump as he returned to his chair.
Murray secured an early break in the third set and demonstrated his tenacity by saving two break points at 2-1. From that point forward, his serve remained formidable as he took a two-sets-to-one lead.
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