Andy Murray defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in five sets to reach the second round of the Australian Open - and has his sights set on a deep run Down Under..
Murray, who tearfully admitted he was nearing retirement at the tournament in 2019, reached a first ATP Tour final in over two years in Sydney last week. His performance suggested the Brit could still compete at the highest level.
The 34-year-old defeated Basilashvili last week too, and it took Murray three hours and 52 minutes to deliver a 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 victory in Melbourne - his first win at the Australian Open in five years.
“I will hopefully keep improving,” said Murray in his on-court interview after the match. “There are things in my game I can definitely do better.
“I would love to have a deep run here, if possible. It is something I have not had in one of the slams since I came back from injury and it is something that is motivating me.
“I have played some of my best tennis here over the years. I feel comfortable here and I hope I can do it here this tournament.”
Basilashvili struggled to find the court and Murray raced to the first set in a little over 20 minutes. The 21st seed, who Murray also defeated at Wimbledon last year, mishit one serve so badly that it flew into the stands without bouncing.
However, Basilashvili was undeterred by his erroneous play and continued to spank the ball as hard as he could throughout - and the Georgian locked in for the second set as he broke Murray three times on his way to levelling the match.
Murray dealt with Basilashvili’s big-hitting style in the third set, clinching the set on his fourth attempt as the Georgian suffered a 25th unforced error of the set.
The third set was a one-act melodrama featuring searing winners, errant smashes, wild errors and an awful lot of Murray scampering around well behind the baseline trying to force Basilashvili to self-destruct.
Murray, who will face Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in round two, held on in the fourth as he recovered from a 2-4 deficit and even saved a set point at 4-5. The Scot fought back from 1-5 in the tie-break but was eventually defeated to take the match to an all-important fifth set.
The five-time Australian Open finalist quickly moved into a 3-0 lead in the fifth but back came Basilashvili once again to level at 4-4 only for Murray to finally find a way across the line, breaking in the 12th game.
“It was amazing,” Murray added. “It has been a tough three or four years.
“I’ve put in a lot of work to get back here. I have played on this court many times and the atmosphere is incredible. I have always had fantastic support.
“This is where I thought I had potentially played my last match three years ago but it is amazing to be back, winning a five-set battle like that. I couldn't ask for any more.”
