Andy Murray dragged his way through a drama-filled encounter against a wilting Matteo Berrettini to reach the second round of the Miami Open on Wednesday.
The former world No 1 wrote on the court-side TV camera that there is ‘life in the old dog yet’ after pulling off an impressive comeback victory.
He has had plenty of joy in Miami since making his debut 18 years ago, winning in 2009 and 2013, and is dreaming of one more shot at glory on his swansong appearance.
Murray was facing the possibility of a first-round exit as he lost the opening set but he fought back and when Berrettini, playing his first ATP Tour match since the US Open, suffered dizzy spells he pounced to seal a 4-6 6-3 6-4 success.
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Murray rolled back the years, winning this brilliant rally during a dramatic encounter
“I think in terms of the way I played and the important moments in that match, I did a good job,” Murray told Laura Robson after his win.
“I was down 0-40 near the end when it was 3-2, and I also created a lot of chances to go up a double break as well and hadn’t got it, stayed tough there and played some good points.
“I moved well, and dictated a lot of the match, which isn’t easy against him. Once I got the balance right against him, I felt like I dictated a lot of the points.
“I played a smart match when I needed to.
“I’m very different on the tennis court, I’m not a robot, I’m a bit odd, a bit strange, but I play better when I’m like that.”
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Murray explained who he was when asked by Laura Robson about his fake laughter on court
Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, is coming back from lengthy injury problems, which showed later in the match, but he started well by breaking Murray in the opening game, sealing it with a blistering forehand down the line.
Murray, 36, missed two chances to break back at 3-2 and that proved crucial as Berrettini’s monster serve allowed him to see out the first set.
The second set saw an improvement and Murray’s chance came in a marathon sixth game as he broke on the third attempt with a sweet forehand return.
Berrettini’s health took a turn for the worse when he was about to serve at the start of the eighth game as he suffered a wobble and needed to use his racket as a crutch to stop himself from collapsing.
Doctors checked his blood pressure and after a long break, the Italian was able to continue, but Murray soon sent it to a decider.
When the Scot won another 12-minute game on Berrettini’s serve in the opening game, the writing was on the wall.
Murray played some clever tennis, running his weary opponent side to side as the Italian continued to suffer.
He did have to fight back from 0-40 down midway through the decider and that ended Berrettini’s challenge as Murray won for just the fourth time in 2024.
Life in the old dog yet!
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Murray’s message to the world!
Tale of the Tape
‘Murray lifted his level between sets like you wouldn’t believe’
“There certainly is life in the old dog,” said Annabel Croft on Sky Sports 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 were a couple of points he made extraordinary winners, and you feel he started to psychologically get into the head 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 control but then looked all over the shop
“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,” said 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 advantage and once you see your opponent wobbling like that, literally, you have to make sure you really focus and you don’t give up any cheap points.
“He got the momentum in the third set, and there is certainly life in the old dog yet.”
Draper makes impressive start to Miami campaign
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Highlights of Jack Draper’s impressive win against Taro Daniel
Jack Draper put in an assured performance to beat Taro Daniel and reach the second round in style.
The Briton, ranked No 42 in the world, overcame his Japanese opponent 6-3 6-2 in 69 minutes to set up a second-round meeting with 22nd seed Nicolas Jarry.
Looking to bounce back from a disappointing first-round exit in Indian Wells, Draper was by far the superior player against the world No 78 in Florida, hitting 25 winners and had a 97 per cent success rate on his first serve.
A run of nine points out of 10 midway through the first set allowed him to assume control, sealing a decisive break with a searing crosscourt backhand.
He served out the set with a flurry of aces and he was soon knocking on the door in the second, missing break points in the opening game.
Draper made his move in the third game with a backhand pass which Daniel left and then saw land on the line.
A second break put him on the verge of victory and he saw it out with an impressive hold, taking match point with a crunching forehand.
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Draper nailed this beautifully disguised slice during his win over Daniel
Croft: Really Impressive 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 told Sky Sports 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, of course, was exceptional. No break points.”
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Annabel Croft revealed that Draper is a natural right hander but plays with his left, like Rafael Nadal, which means the backhand is played like a second forehand
Henman: A great response
“A lefty is always a nice advantage, but it was impressive how Draper was able to hit all four corners (on serve),” said 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. When you look at the analysis and stats at the end of the match, he only lost one point behind the first serve. He won 28 of 29 points. That’s such a good foundation.
“On the back of a really disappointing performance in Indian Wells, this is a great response from Jack Draper.”
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Draper feels his serve is his biggest weapon which he’s been working on since his early Indian Wells exit. He is also focussing on consistency in Miami
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