Linette storms back to take the first set v Alexandrova, 6-3.
But that is all for today and our live Australian Open coverage. Thanks for reading, and we will of course be back for more tomorrow. Bye.
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A couple of other news stories from Melbourne today:
A day and a half after seemingly dragging his body to the extremes of its physical limits, Andy Murray was back and at it again. He started his third-round match an exhausted shadow of himself, barely even able to move, but then he loosened up. He began to play. One fist pump at a time, he let every single onlooker know. Somehow, he ended up snatching a set for himself.
It was an astonishing, thrilling last stand that encapsulated all that he is about, but it was not enough. As Murray’s immense workload finally caught up with him, his resurgent Australian Open came to an end as he eventually fell 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-4 to Roberto Bautista Agut.
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Linette 2-3 Alexandrova (19)
In the women’s singles, on Rod Laver Arena, Poland’s Linette trails Alexandrova of Russia in their first set. The Russian has the break.
It was certainly a pro-Murray crowd on Margaret Court Arena:
First time I’ve ever seen someone receive a standing ovation for winning an early set of a best of five set match. It was well deserved.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 21, 2023
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And just like that, Murray is out, and Eurosport switch to showing biathlon.
There was a lot packed into Murray’s tournament, considering he bows out in the third round. Some of the hitting today from both players was phenomenal. It just slipped away from him very quickly in the fourth – just moments after he had some pressure on the Bautista Agut serve. Few gave him a chance of coming through a first-round match against Matteo Berrettini, and certainly he looked dead and buried when two sets down against Thanasi Kokkinakis a couple of days ago.
That was a mad and utterly gripping ride. Murray’s efforts were certainly appreciated and enjoyed by us all.
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Henman, on Eurosport, on Murray’s efforts: “He gives it everything. I think he’ll take a lot from this … he’ll be very proud of his performance, and it gives him a lot to build on for the rest of the season.”
Speaking to Eurosport now, Bautista Agut calls that one of the toughest matches he’s played at a grand slam. He’s not just being polite …
“Today I felt that he [Murray] was really playing well. He was really feeling the ball. It was a good match from my side.”
Did he feel the match could slip away?
“Yes. Of course. The way he came back on the second set means he could win the match. It was not easy for me to lose the second set. Then I could come back. I felt strong. I felt I could continue with a good rhythm on the court, playing the toughest points and hitting the ball as hard as I could. Making a lot of pressure on his second serve. Well! It was a tough one, but [ended] on my side.
“I’m proud of this [representing Spain] … I’ve been working hard. It’s never easy to be in the second week of a slam. I’m prepared to play a good match on the next one.”
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“Tough to rate Murray especially when that special era included Federer, Nadal and Djokovic,” emails Yash Gupta. “He had his struggles against Federer, looked outmuscled most of the time against Nadal and Novak had his number. But he also defeated Roger in 2012 Olympics and would’ve done same at Wimbledon earlier but the arena was closed when he was on top … He’s not the greatest but that’s not the point. A player who gave the sport his all and he made tennis fun. He looked like a normal bloke fighting till the end holding nothing back. And here he is still playing when his playing career was over six years ago.”
Will we see Murray play in Melbourne again? If we don’t, it was satisfying to see him fight back from that one-sided first set. Physically the tank looked like it may have been empty early on following those two five-setters.
Whatever the future holds, that was a special and profoundly memorable week of Murray matches. His fight, his calmness under pressure, his incredible shot-making ability, mixing up power and finesse. He is unique, utterly unique.
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Bautista Agut has a chat: “Always playing Andy in a slam is very tough. He knows the game very well, he knows very well how to play a grand slam match … I’m very happy about how I managed all the nerves and all the tension during all the match … I could play very good tennis, and I’m very happy about the win.
“Today was a lot of love for Andy, I think …” he jokes – the crowd cheers. “Maybe in the next round, a little more for me?”
“Of course. I’m feeling well on the court … I’m doing everything I can outside the court to try to play good matches … Today obviously was very tough. But in my way, I could enjoy the match, enjoy the atmosphere, to play a big match in a slam … I think I’m prepared to play a good match on the next one.”
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Bautista Agut beats Murray! 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 4-6
It’s over. A huge, huge effort from both men. A typically gutsy effort from Murray to battle back into the match after being absolutely dominated in the first set. A memorable match that was characterised not by big serving but high-quality hitting.
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Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 4-5 Bautista Agut
At 0-30, Murray fights hard to get a massive serve back … he gets into the point, but then nets an attempted winner from the baseline.
Again, there is some crazily good defence from Murray, but Bautista Agut eventually smashes his way to 30-30.
Bautista Agut hammers another big serve down the middle. Murray gets it back. But then hits wide and long and it’s match point …
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At 9.18am UK time, I wrote: “Does the immutable Law of Murray dictate that we will still be here in three hours’ time?”
Perhaps not … but hang on! It’s 0-30 on the Spaniard’s serve!
Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 4-5 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
It’s quickly 0-30 for Bautista Agut. Then 0-40 when Murray hits long. Three break points. Effectively match points?
The Spaniard, remarkably, has won seven points in a row after being under pressure on his own serve. And he can now serve to send Murray home. Tommy Paul, ranked 35, awaits in the fourth round.
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*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 4-4 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Bautista Agut hits wide, and there is a glimpse for Murray at 15-30. He continues to try to dominate with his forehand, but overcooks one and hits long for 30-30.
A crafty wide serve from Bautista Agut and it’s 40-30 … and an unreturnable, and he responds quickly to hold. No separating these two warriors in the fourth. “Vamos!”
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Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 4-3 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Massive. The penultimate point is stunning, Murray climbing into his forehand again and again and eventually coming in to volley for game point. He closes it out, and sits down for a drink.
In terms of sheer heart, in terms of staying cool under intense pressure, in terms of utter determination and will to win – or rather will to not be beaten – this is something very special.
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Djokovic beats Dimitrov! 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4
After a massive battle in the first set, Djokovic cruises into the fourth round to face Alex de Minaur (22).
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*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 3-3 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Another speedy love hold for Bautista Agut. Pressure, both mental and physical, back on Murray immediately. He looks very, very fatigued.
New balls, please. Murray looks tired, so tired. But he has his nose in front in the fourth.
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Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 3-2 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Murray hits what looks a good drop shot but of course Bautista Agut gets there, and shows lovely touch to dab a winner back over the net.
Murray unloads again from the baseline, but can’t stop it becoming 15-30 …
A big ace down the middle for 30-30.
A top, top quality point next, Murray moving in on his forehand and sending it down the line with power. Bautista Agut gets it back. Murray tucks away the volley for 40-30.
Another fantastic exchange arrives quickly – Bautista Agut wins with a cultured cross-court winner on the forehand. Murray slumps his head. He was hoping to get out of this service game nice and quickly.
Bautista Agut brings break point with a stunning lob. Just too good.
“The highlights reel is basically the match without the sit-downs,” they say on Eurosport, which is pretty much on the money.
Murray saves the break point, then hits back immediately with a BANGING forehand winner … he holds after another crushing rally, miscueing one shot that somehow bounces in, then ending it emphatically with a cross-court winner. Fantastic.
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*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 2-2 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Muzza continues to take on his shots, but Bautista Agut holds to -15. All square in the fourth. Big moments coming up.
The match clock ticks past three hours.
“The word ‘legend’ (alongside ‘genius’) is probably the most overused in sport,” emails Simon McMahon. “But I think it can be used accurately of Murray. Three Grand Slams may seem to some to be a meagre return over 15 years at the top, but when you factor in Federer, Djokovic and Nadal all playing in the same era, the fact that Murray made 11 Grand Slam finals (across all four events) and managed to win three, plus 46 tour titles including 14 Masters 1000 events, a Davis Cup, two Olympic golds, and achieve World No. 1, while battling injury for much of his career, really beggars belief. I think it was David Lloyd who once said that Andy Murray didn’t do enough to promote British tennis. Lol, if that’s still a thing.”
Legendary email, thanks Simon.
Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 2-1 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Bautista Agut roars back into it with 0-30 on the Murray serve.
The Scot grinds it back to 30-30. Between points, his shoulders are slumped, his movement is slow.
He summons up the strength for a massive serve down the middle, but fluffs the resultant volley for 30-40.
He stays on-brand for the break point, not taking a backward step, drawing an error from the Spaniard for deuce.
Nearly an unreturnable first serve. But it’s fractionally out. Bautista Agut belts a stunning return of second serve cross-court. Murray returns with interest, an astonishing shot that brings another tough rally. But Bautista Agut wins the point. Advantage to him. And after yet another draining exchange, Murray eventually clubs the ball long, and Bautista Agut breaks straight back.
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*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 2-0 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Murray grabs the early break! He has daylight in the fourth! He is hitting the ball with authority. He’s not done.
Murray’s hit 39 winners. Bautista Agut has hit 37. Aces? 6-4 to Murray. This is quality stuff.
Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 1-0 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
A handy hold of serve for the Scot to open the fourth set.
Remember when Murray’s tour colleagues effectively tried to retire him in 2019 with that farewell video? Ha ha ha. The fools.
Djokovic leads Dimitrov 3-1 in the third set, a break up and seemingly cruising into the fourth round.
What’s the Murray gameplan? Hit winners. Hit big first serves. Hit perfectly judged drop-shots.
Physically, in comparison to his opponent, he is nowhere. But can he rely on his accuracy and skill, not to mention his considerable character, for another big push?
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“Competitive hyperdrive.” Yes, that’s what it is.
@LukeMcLaughlin
— Chicago85 (@Chicago853) January 21, 2023
Murray is evoking happy memories of watching late era Jimmy Connors. Like Murray little chance of making it all the way but still utterly compelling to watch the competitive hyperdrive refusing to go quietly in the night.
Bautista Agut wins the third set v Murray! 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6
Bautista Agut quietens the crowd with a love hold, sealing the set in the process. That is 10 points in a row on his serve.
Murray recovered to nearly avoid being broken, but once the Spaniard had it, the set looked a foregone conclusion.
On we go.
Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-5 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Physically, Bautista Agut is an absolute machine. He is running everything down. At 0-15 Murray smacks a big serve down the middle, but Bautista Agut gets it back. Murray tries the drop shot – no luck this time as the Spaniard hunts it down and wins the point.
Pressure at 0-30. A quick break for one of the ball kids to wipe up some bird poo, and then back on it for Murray, clipping a volley into the open court for 15-30.
Bautista Agut exerts some serious pressure at 15-40. Murray stays in the next rally and draws error: 30-40.
Just when you think you’ve got out, he drags you back in. Deuce. Pressure, pressure. Murray loves it! He can’t get enough of it.
Another punishing, high-class rally ends when Bautista Agut goes to the drop shot. Murray gets there, but his angled reply bounces out. Advantage Bautista Agut.
Another powerful exchange ends with Murray eventually finding the net from the back of the court. Bautista Agut can serve for the third set. The Scot fought back so well there but didn’t have quite enough.
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*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-4 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
A couple of errors from Murray and it’s 30-0. Quickly it’s a love hold. The level dropped a bit there, from Murray, but who can blame him? He can sit down and have a nice little rest and a drink, and serve to try and get back level.
Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 3-3 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Danger for Murray at 0-30. He brings it back to parity, the first point sealed with an excellent volley. Can he raise his level again?
Yes he can. Ominously, Bautista Agut fires a powerful forehand to the corner. Somehow – somehow – Murray gets it back. He stays in the point. He wins the point. That’s crazy. When the pressure is cranked up, Murray responds.
Then he dumps a forehand into the net for deuce. Bad.
Next up, he belts a massive forehand that leaves the Spaniard flat-footed. Good!
He holds! 3-3.
“I find myself getting emotional watching Murray in this tournament,” emails Leon.
“Part of that is being so happy to still just be able to watch one of my favourite ever sportspeople play at the top level, but another part of it is watching in amazement at just how much someone can give. It’s so compelling, and a little scary!
“Beating two young players (and now matching a 100%-fit Bautista Agut) whilst nowhere near 100% is utterly ridiculous. Jürgen Klopp would love 11 Murrays in his team!”
One of the commentators did call Murray a “mental giant” earlier. So yes, agreed.
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*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 2-3 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Murray forces deuce. There is some more high-quality hitting. Very high-quality. But the Spaniard is coming back strong. He edges ahead in the third. It’s on serve.
In my excitement, I had the second set scores wrong, but fixed now.
Dimitrov 6-7 (7), 3-6 Djokovic
The Serb is two sets up now after a titanic battle for the first.
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Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 2-2 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
No one could say Murray lacks backbone. He holds impressively, but appears to be suffering with a bit of back pain after tonking down these big first serves. Anyway, it’s all square in the second set.
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Every few years, without fail, a new group of young players emerges ready to consolidate the Czech Republic’s reputation as one of the dominant nations in women’s tennis. In Australia, the process is unfolding once more. On Saturday, the 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova reached the fourth round of a grand slam tournament for the first time, defeating her compatriot Marketa Vondrousova, a former Czech prodigy herself, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.
*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 1-2 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
He only wins one point in that game, but Murray (an accomplished showman) jogs to the crowd with his momentum after doing so, and whips the fans up a bit more.
A very solid hold for Bautista Agut, but Murray is matching him (and sometimes more) just now.
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Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 1-1 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
A lusty forehand from Murray helps to pull it back to 15-15.
At 30-15 Murray smokes a massive cross-court forehand winner. Both players are hitting the ball crisply. But Murray is unloading a little more than his opponent.
Bautista Agut comes roaring back with a down-the-line winner to the corner for 40-30.
A ball flicks off the net from the Spaniard and Murray sends a forehand long to gift his opponent deuce. He rants at himself. But then he clips another ludicrous drop shot that Bautista Agut doesn’t even bother to run for. Lovely.
Bautista Agut gets on the move again, sprinting around the back of the court, to save the next point and bring the error. Deuce.
Down the line from Murray on the next point, another masterful effort. Running out of superlatives here.
The next point is probably even better. Bautista Agut is forced to try a tweener after a lengthy exchange. He fails. Murray holds. Top-class tennis. Incredible entertainment. What’s not to like?
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*Murray 1-6, 7-6 (7), 0-1 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Love hold for Bautista Agut. Murray must go again.
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Murray wins the second set against Bautista Agut! 1-6, 7-6 (7)
Remarkable. Where do you even start with that? Murray save two set points in the tiebreak to level at one-set all. He was steamrollered in the first set, but has found a way back. Margaret Court Arena is rocking …
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Second set tiebreak: Murray 1-6, 6-6 (8-7) Bautista Agut
Big, big effort from Bautista Agut to level. But he hits long, and it’s a second set point for Murray, with serve …
Second set tiebreak: Murray 1-6, 6-6 (7-6) Bautista Agut
Hahaha! Stunning. Another high, high level rally. Murray goes to the drop shot again. He wins the point. The crowd roar. Murray shrugs. “That’s just what I do.”
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Second set tiebreak: Murray 1-6, 6-6 (6-6) Bautista Agut
Oh, yes. You can only applaud that. I am applauding that. Absolutely insane character from Murray to win the point and level it at 6-6. It’s a long rally but Murray’s superior shot making under intense pressure gets it done. Just so, so impressive.
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Second set tiebreak: Murray 1-6, 6-6 (5-6) Bautista Agut
The Spaniard wrestles control at 4-2, and an accurate wide serve gives him the upper hand for 5-2. (It’s first to seven.)
“Believe in yourself!” shouts an Aussie in the stand, obviously addressing Murray. The crowd laughs.
Murray puts away a volley for 3-5. He looks up again at what is presumably a drone that is hovering over the court, that is distracting him.
It moves to 6-4. “What is that?” Murray asks the umpire of the persistent noise.
But he wins the next point after a stunning rally! The crowd roars! He’s still in this set …
“Can’t comment on whether he is the greatest living Scot,” emails Richard Hirst. “But Murray is certainly in my opinion the greatest British sportsperson of my lifetime. And a good guy to boot.”
Second set tiebreak: Murray 1-6, 6-6 (1-3) Bautista Agut
Beautiful touch by Murray to hold serve, first up, with a magnificent drop shot followed by easy put-away.
He jumps at a second-serve return next, looking for the immediate finisher, but hits it long. Murray shakes his head.
Bautista Agut fires a top-class inside-out winner for 2-1. Then another stunning forehand sets up a winner down the line for 3-1 to the Spaniard.
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Second-set tiebreak! Murray 1-6, 6-6 Bautista Agut
A wild forehand by Murray makes it 40-15, and two game points to make a tiebreak. Murray nearly stays in the next point with some more astonishing defence but it’s a tiebreak to settle the second set.
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Dimitrov 6-7 (7) Djokovic
Djokovic, the nine-times champ, wins a fiercely-fought first set on a tiebreak.
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Murray 1-6, 6-5 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Murray hits his fourth ace of the match for 15-15. Then another big one, unreturnable, for 30-15.
His body is definitely creaking, but maybe loosening up a bit, too? He dumps a forehand into the net and it’s 30-30 … Bautista Agut is back at his dogged best, and he stays in the next point, waiting for the error … and forces a break point.
Murray gets right back in his face on the next point when the Spaniard doesn’t do enough with a volley and Murray passes him, sensationally, to save the break point! That is very, very good.
Then Murray belts a smash for his advantage! The crowd goes crazy again! Murray serves big down the middle and that’s his game! Fist pumps aplenty.
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*Murray 1-6, 5-5 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
at 40-0 the Spaniard errs with a forehand to give Murray a foothold.
Murray climbs into a second-serve return, smacking it deep and Bautista Agut can only hit long.
Then – wooooow! What a winner by Murray. That’s crazy. A big first serve gives the Spaniard the choice of where to put a short ball. He goes down the middle to the body. Murray somehow shovels an improvised pass to win the point! That was sensational.
An error by Murray into the net though, for advantage to Bautista Agut, and then a big unreturnable serve down the middle. All square.
Murray 1-6, 5-4 *Bautista Agut
Murray leads 5-4 in the second set, of course. Damn these fiddly tennis scores.
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Murray 1-6, 5-4 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Lovely, lovely stuff. Murray seals the hold with a familiar combination of a drop shot and then an easy winner into the open court. Bautista Agut shows his customary determination to chase down the drop shot, but there’s no way he’s getting the next one.
We have a ball game.
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There is a persistent droning noise coming from somewhere on or near the court. It seem to be annoying Murray. If you’re reading this, organisers, can you sort it out?
Maybe it is actually a drone?
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Dimitrov and Djokovic are in a first-set tiebreak.
*Murray 1-6, 4-4 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Murray powers a jaw-dropping winner down the line for 0-30. The Spaniard double-faults for 0-40 … and then nets to gift Murray a break to love! Wow! And the crowd goes wild.
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If there is one thing Bautista Agut has, it’s mental strength. He won’t enjoy the fact that the Margaret Court Arena crowd is 99 per cent for Murray … but he doesn’t look particularly bothered, either. That may change if things tighten up a little and his level drops.
Murray 1-6, 3-4 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
A clean winner from the Spaniard on Murray’s second serve sums up the pattern of the match so far. It’s a sweet, almost perfect hit down the line. But Murray makes it back to 30-30, and a fine rally ends when Bautista Agut flops a volley into the net after coming forwards. A very rare unforced error.
Game point for Murray, at 40-30, but a backhand flicks the net, and drops back on his side of the court: deuce. An unforced error again from Murray as he sends a forehand into the net …
He saves the break point in the face of some crazily good defence from the Spaniard, eventually creating the chance to smash emphatically, and there is another huge roar from the crowd.
Murray earns advantage … and then holds with an ace! Does the immutable Law of Murray dictate that we will still be here in three hours’ time?
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*Murray 1-6, 2-4 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Love hold for the Spaniard again. That’s three in this set, and 17 points in a row on serve. The numbers don’t look good for the 35-year-old Scot.
Dimitrov 4-5 Djokovic
The Serb is still a break up in that first set, but Dimitrov is fighting hard. It’s a marathon first set on Rod Laver Arena.
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Murray 1-6, 2-3 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
At 30-30 a long rally goes Murray’s way when he carves out a brilliant winner to the corner. At advantage Murray, it’s probably the best point of the match so far, the Scot giving Bautista Agut the runaround and eventually tucking away a volley to win the game, hold serve, and send the crowd wild …
If he can find a way to harness the energy of his massively pro-Murray crowd, his still has a chance.
Murray has 18 unforced errors on his card. Just the six for the Spaniard.
*Murray 1-6, 1-3 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Bautista Agut is serving like a demon. It’s another love hold and Murray is rather punch-drunk at the moment.
Sorry, had the score wrong just then, it’s Murray 1-6, 1-2 *Bautista Agut.
So the Spaniard is a set and a break up.
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Murray 1-6, 1-2 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
A beautiful point from Murray, hitting sweetly from the baseline and then coming in to volley, wrestles it back to 15-15. Again the noise from the crowd is deafening. A couple of Scotsmen (or certainly Murray fans) in loud shirts and wigs are pictured applauding enthusiastically.
Murray nets on the next rally for 15-30, then hits some expansive blows from the back of the court and so nearly wins the point, but Bautista Agut matches him with some fine defence, and eventually draws the error for 15-40.
After a long rally the Spaniard hits wide and Murray has a glimpse of saving himself at 30-40 … but he double faults on the next point to give Bautista Agut the break in the second set. Danger!
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*Murray 1-6, 1-1 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Bautista Agut has lost just three points on serve. He rounds off another hold in assured style. Back to Murray’s serve …
“Andy Murray is the greatest living Scotsman, period,” emails Simon McMahon. “Today I am officially starting the campaign for ‘Andy Murray Day’ to be celebrated on May 15th each year. Slogan - ‘nothing is impossible’. Though if he wins today, I’ll eat my tartan bunnet.”
Murray 1-6, 1-0 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
The Scot seals an excellent hold with a polished drop shot, and the roar from the crowd is the loudest yet. Murray is hitting the ball OK, but his opponent was relentless in that first set. Can he find a way to put pressure on the Spaniard’s serve?
Murray can barely walk between points. Nothing new there though, in truth.
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“Surely he’s got to win this set … he can’t come from two sets to love down again, can he?”
So asks the co-commentator. I would have thought not.
Bautista Agut wins the first set v Murray! 6-1
That was extremely one-sided. Bautista Agut seals another straightforward hold, and takes the set in 29 minutes.
There were a few moments for Murray but all in all he was comprehensively outplayed in that set. Is this the end of the road?
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Djokovic leads Dimitrov 3-1 in their first set, a break up.
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Murray 1-5 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Double break for Bautista Agut. He clips a precise lob over Murray’s head, perfectly to the corner cross-court, to seal it. The Spaniard looks utterly focused as he pumps his first and looks up at his team in the stand.
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“Both of these guys grew up playing football as well as tennis and were apparently not too shabby with a fuzz-free ball at their feet,” emails Peter Oh. “Andy Murray was offered a trial with Rangers and Bautista Agut played for Villarreal as a teenager. I’d love to see them put their racquets down for a moment and break out into an impromptu keepy-uppy competition!”
“He’s a wall … a really quick wall,” says the Eurosport commentator of Bautista Agut, after he runs down another Murray stroke, and tucks it away for the winner. You kind of know what he means.
*Murray 1-4 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Bautista Agut holds, and is in pole position in this first set. Will Murray’s body start to co-operate a little more? It’s clear that he wants to take on some big winners and keep the points short, mixed up with plenty of drop shots. Once he’s warmed up, maybe he’ll find a way? We shall see.
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An email dropped in a few minutes ago: “It’s Patricia in Detroit, ready to “watch” Andy Murray play his phenomenal brand of tennis through your words! It is 3:18am here and I’m going to stay awake as long as I can.”
Thanks for reading, Patricia.
Three fans with the Scottish flag daubed on their faces are pictured on TV. They look a little concerned at the scoreboard.
Murray 1-3 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
A double fault makes it 0-30. Murray shakes his head and berates himself … or perhaps he’s berating his body.
He hits another powerful forehand to the corner – his opponent somehow manages to get it back again – then Murray slices a lovely drop shot that Bautista Agut can’t get back.
There is a huge roar to greet Murray’s winning of a point… and then a big serve, and it’s 30-30. Murray stays in the next rally and Bautista Agut nets a backhand and it’s a look at game point for Murray and a chance to get on the board.
Another drop by Murray to his opponent’s forehand side. This time he’s all over it. Murray tries a lob but Bautista Agut smashes for deuce.
Murray soon has advantage but nets a volley, back to deuce. A good serve and another game point for the Scot … Bautista Agut hits long, and Murray is on the board.
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*Murray 0-3 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
The Spaniard steams to a love hold, sealing it by clubbing a confident back hand pass down the line.
Mentally and physically, Murray isn’t where he’d like to be at the moment. But he’ll probably get going when he’s a set or two down …
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Murray 0-2 *Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Murray double faults to begin. Bautista Agut tucks away a neat volley for 0-30. Murray hits wide for 0-40.
Murray crushes a cross-court forehand that looks good enough to win the point, but Bautista Agut pats it back, keeps in the rally, and soon thumps a brilliant winner down the line for a break to love.
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*Murray 0-1 Bautista Agut (*denotes next server)
Bautista Agut takes the first point with a big forehand down the line that Murray miscues. Murray takes on a big forehand winner next up, and nails it for 15-15.
Predictably, Bautista Agut looks happy to keep Murray involved in long rallies, while Murray is perhaps looking for winners earlier than he normally would.
The Spaniard closes out a very solid hold to begin.
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It’s pleasant weather for tennis. It’s about 21C and sunny, at just gone 7pm in Melbourne. The breeze is blowing at 15km/h, AKA 9mph.
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Alex de Minaur will have his “popcorn ready” to watch Saturday night’s clash between Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov, knowing he will play the winner for a place in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Australia’s biggest local hope wasted no time surging into the second week at Melbourne Park, dispatching Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets to make the fourth round for a second consecutive year.
Bautista Agut wins the toss, and will serve.
The players are warming up.
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The players, Murray and Bautista Agut, are coming on to court now.
Murray gets a huge reception from the crowd.
Five hours after engineering one of the most spectacular finishes of his 18-year career, exerting every ounce of energy he had to topple Thanasi Kokkinakis from two sets down in a near-six-hour, five-set marathon that finished at 4.05am, Andy Murray was already back in the corridors of Melbourne Park. At 9.30am, he walked down the tunnel beneath Rod Laver Arena to warm congratulations and high fives from colleagues and admirers, but also to confused stares.
Preamble
Are you ready to do it all again?
Is Andy Murray ready, that’s the more important question. With two punishing five-setters already in his legs, the Scot now takes on Roberto Bautista Agut, the 24th seed, for a place in the fourth round.
On Rod Laver Arena, meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, who is carrying a hamstring injury, meets Grigor Dimitrov.
Further details of today’s matches to follow … let’s go!
