Andy Murray overcomes Nikoloz Basilashvili in five-set epic to reach second round on Australian Open return

ByJames Kilpatrick

Updated 18/01/2022 at 09:24 GMT

Andy Murray had to work immensely hard against Nikoloz Basilashvili, but he showed the greater desire to overcome his Georgian opponent in a five-set marathon that lasted three hours and 55 minutes in front of a raucous crowd in Melbourne. Stream the 2022 Australian Open live and on demand on discovery+.

Andy Murray overcomes Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4 to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

Murray sealed a memorable victory in his first match at the Melbourne Slam since 2019, overcoming the hard-hitting Georgian in a five-set epic.

Murray will play Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the second round.

Tennis

Murray will not have surgery on ankle injury, return date unknown

15/04/2024 at 20:14

“It’s been a tough three or four years,” said Murray, who looked as though he might have played his last match at the Australian Open after losing to Roberto Bautista Agut three years ago.

“I’ve put in a lot of work to get back here. I played on this court many times and the atmosphere is incredible and I’ve always had fantastic support.

'Not happy!' - Murray blasts ball in anger after 'outrageous' winner

“This is the one where I thought I’d potentially played my last match three years ago but it’s amazing to be back and winning a five-set battle like that, couldn’t ask for any more.”

Basilashvili framed a serve into the crowd in the second game of the opening set and it appeared to rattle the Georgian. Murray reeled off six games in a row as Basilashvili made 18 unforced errors in the 23 minute set.

The No 21 seed was far better in the second set and less error-prone. Murray's serve let him down and Basilashvili capitalised by converting the three break points on offer to take it in 42 minutes.

Momentum swung wildly in a tightly-contested third set which lasted 58 minutes. Basilashvili recovered from a break down to make it 3-3 before Murray broke the Georgian's serve again.

At 5-4 down, Basilashvili saved three set points to ensure Murray would have to serve out for the set and he did so with Basilashvili sending a wild backhand wide.

Murray appeared to dip midway through the fourth set and went 4-2 down, but the Scot broke back instantly and the two battled it out to a tie-break. In the tie-break the Georgian raced to a 5-1 lead and finally forced the decider on his fourth set point.

• Australian Open 2022: How to watch, schedule, start times and live stream details

Murray did not give up, though, and quickly raced into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set with Basilashvili flagging. But with Murray 4-2 up, Basilashvili broke back after an epic 30-shot rally to get back on serve.

With both players looking exhausted it was Murray who broke through with three match points on the Basilashvili serve at 5-4 up. Basilashvili saved two of them but Murray converted the third to wrap up a classic on John Cain Arena.

'I couldn’t ask for any more' - Murray on Basilashvili win after 'tough three or four years'

- - -

Stream the 2022 Australian Open live and on demand on discovery+. A subscription for discovery+ is now £29.99 for the first year for UK users, down from £59.99

Tennis

‘Unbelievable fighter’ Murray can ‘go out on top’ at Olympics - Wilander

05/04/2024 at 13:00

ATP Monte Carlo

When is the Monte Carlo Masters? Are Djokovic and Nadal playing?

03/04/2024 at 09:07

ATP Monte Carlo

Murray confirms Monte-Carlo and Munich absence with ankle injury

29/03/2024 at 15:41