'Great to see': Tennis world erupts over stunning Andy Murray moment
Andy Murray has won his first match at ATP level in six months, stunning tennis fans with an incredible comeback in Rotterdam.
After missing last month's Australian Open when he tested positive for coronavirus, Murray was forced to dig deep to win his first-round match at the World Tennis Tournament against Robin Haase 2-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.
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It marked the 33-year-old's first victory at ATP tour-level since the US Open on September 1.
After a match that lasted two-and-a-half hours, the former World No.1 said he feels like he's playing for his career every time he steps on the court.
"Every time I lose a match I'm getting told to retire, that I should stop playing, that I'm finished and got nothing left or whatever and it's sad and all of these things," said the Scotsman.
"I feel like I'm playing for my career just now, each time I step on court, which is a motivation in some ways.
"But it also adds a bit of extra stress. There's a bit of extra doubt there and on top of that I'm playing with a metal hip, which is hard.
"Trust me, it's not easy."
Fans were delighted to see Murray in the winner's circle again.
So pleased to see Andy lift his level after that 1st set, dug in wonderfully against Hasse who was playing very well indeed. To come back from 0-3 in the 3rd set shows he still has that grit & determination to win together with the skills. Very well done 🎾👏👏👏👍😀
— Lyn Pritchard (@LynPritchard2) March 1, 2021
All through that match I didn’t see Andy Murray winning it! Good win! They are only best of 3 which should suit him!
— Kermit Kane (@KermitKane11) March 1, 2021
What a great match up of wild cards! Great to see Andy get a W in his 1️⃣st Rd. @abnamrowtt 👏
— TennisONE (@TennisONEApp) March 1, 2021
Wonderful tennis player and bloody tenacious.
— Kevin Beattie was a legend (@flawedlogic_joe) March 1, 2021
Seriously how cool is that court?! Awesome!
— Djokinho (@Djokinho99) March 1, 2021
This Guy has a will to win ! Look like nadal ! He fights on every points and dont give up
— Rmj0608 (@Rmj06081) March 1, 2021
Murray magic still there
— Anne Laidlaw (@laidlaw_anne) March 1, 2021
Kei Nishikori also gets much-needed win
Other first-round winners in Rotterdam were Kei Nishikori, 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 over seventh seed and last year's finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime, Cameron Norrie and qualifier Marton Fucsovics.
The 31-year-old Nishikori is 3-7 since returning from injury and illness in September last year and his next opponent will be an Australian, in Alex de Minaur or John Millman who play their opening round match on Tuesday.
Former World No.1 Murray, now ranked 123rd, was back on court on Monday after losing in Montpellier last week in his first ATP Tour match for four months.
Murray lost the first set to Haase in 34 minutes, saved two break points in the seventh game of the second before winning it in a tie-breaker and then sealed a memorable victory by battling back from 3-0 down in the decider.
"From the mental side yeah, I did well to win because I was really struggling with my game for probably about an hour-and -a-half of that match," he said.
"I moved pretty well and played for two-and-a-half hours and my hips and groin and stuff felt good, so that was positive.
"But from the tennis side, it was average at best."
with AAP
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