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Veteran Andy Murray roared again in a five-set epic which ended previous Four am to achieve the Australian Open third spherical with a exceptional victory over residence hope Thanasi Kokkinakis early Friday.
In entrance of a raucous however weary Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, the Briton lastly prevailed 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 7-5.
At 5 hours and 45 minutes it was the longest match in Murray’s storied profession.
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The 35-year-old former world primary will play 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in spherical three.
“It was unbelievable that I managed to do it, to show it round,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion, who has a metal hip and looked on the verge of retirement four years ago at Melbourne Park.
“I don’t understand how I managed to get by it.
“I started playing better as the match went on, and yes, I have a big heart,” stated Murray, to roars of approval.
“I’ve all the time beloved competing, I’ve all the time worn my coronary heart on my sleeve, I’ve all the time proven my feelings once I play.”
Addressing the spectators who had witnessed a classic, he added: “Thanks so much for staying — it’s ridiculously late.”
The 159th-ranked Australian Kokkinakis raced right into a two-set lead, giving little trace of the drama that was to come back.
Kokkinakis is pals with Nick Kyrgios and displayed shades of his gifted however temperamental fellow Australian, smashing his racquet as Murray mounted a trademark comeback.
Murray refused to go quietly, breaking his 26-year-old opponent to lengthen the leisure deeper into the early hours of Friday when Kokkinakis was serving for the match.
The indefatigable Murray, who had career-saving surgical procedure in 2019, then held his personal serve for 5-5 in the third set.
Murray, now ranked 66 in the world, simply wouldn’t go away and claimed the third set on a tie-break when his youthful opponent put a volley wildly vast.
It was coming as much as 2:00am when Murray, who shocked Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in his opening match in one other five-setter, served to start the fourth set.
By that point, some seats had been empty, as weary spectators known as it an evening.
‘Why are we playing at 3:00 am ?!’
Still the pair battled on, with little to decide on between the 2 combatants and each rally keenly contested.
“Why are we enjoying at 3am?!” shouted Murray.
They went with serve in the fourth set until Murray broke to go 4-2 up, puffing out his cheeks by way of celebration.
He then saved break point at 5-3 up and sealed the set by sending down an ace.
Murray, who rolled back the years against Berrettini, now appeared to be in the ascendancy despite being the older man and having a long injury track record.
Murray was furious after being denied a toilet break by the chair umpire at the end of the fourth set.
Kokkinakis, who had appeared to be flagging, found a second wind from somewhere at the start of the deciding set.
The crowd were on their feet at 2-2 and the noise went up a notch when Kokkinakis saved four break points at 3-3.
But as the time turned 4:00 am in Melbourne, Murray broke serve for 6-5, then held his own for a scarcely believable victory.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed)
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