Murray Beats Wawrinka In Antwerp Epic To Win First Title Since Hip Surgery

Early on in Sunday’s European Open final, it appeared that Andy Murray’s dream week would fall just short of a perfect ending. Former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka was playing aggressive tennis from on top of the baseline, and Murray struggled to find an answer on his fourth consecutive day of singles action after three-setters in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals. But the Scot showed his trademark grit — which once helped him climb to the top of the ATP Rankings — to rally past Wawrinka 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, triumphing in Antwerp to lift his first ATP Tour trophy since undergoing career-threatening hip surgery in January. This is Murray’s first title since 2017 Dubai, when he was the World No. 1. In the first six tournaments — at all levels — of his singles comeback, which started in Cincinnati this August, the Scot never advanced past the quarter-finals. But World No. 243 Murray improved as this ATP 250 event wore on to become the lowest-ranked ATP Tour champion since No. 355 Pablo Andujar in Marrakech last year. With Wawrinka searching for his first title since undergoing two left knee surgeries in August 2017, both players showed that they are well on the way back to their best with captivating all-court play that thrilled the Belgian fans. But it was Murray who took a 12-8 lead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series after triumphing in two hours and 27 minutes. Wawrinka broke serve immediately, pummelling a backhand passing shot so hard that Murray could not lift his racquet in time. And while the Scot earned two break opportunities at 0-2 to recover that break, Wawrinka maintained his lead. The Swiss’ powerful game pushed Murray well behind the baseline and kept the Scot from winning too many quick points, turning this into a physical encounter from the get-go. After breaking for a 2-1 lead in the second set, Wawrinka seemed well on his way to victory. But Murray dug deep and found another gear. Wawrinka saved two break points at 3-2, but he lashed a backhand down the line into the net, with Murray immediately letting out a massive roar. The 45-time tour-level titlist came under pressure at 4-4, saving two break points that would have allowed Wawrinka to serve for the match. On the second one, a Murray running crosscourt forehand was called wide, but the call was overturned after a challenge, and he crushed another crosscourt forehand when they replayed the point to get out of trouble. Murray rode that momentum in the next game, breaking to force a decider. That was when the proverbial tug of war began. Four consecutive breaks from 1-1 in the third set did not necessarily come down to the weakness of the stars’ serves. Instead, it was both men refusing to let their opponent gain an edge, fist-pumping and letting rip roars of 'Let's go!' after every lengthy rally and key point. Twice in the deciding set Wawrinka went up a break. But twice Murray battled back and immediately got back on serve, evening the match at 3-3 when the Swiss laced a backhand down the line just wide. And Murray clinched his victory with a fifth break in the match when Wawrinka missed a forehand wide. Did You Know? This was just the second time that Wawrinka and Murray have met for a title. Murray was victorious at Doha in 2008, triumphing in three setsreadfullarticle

Source: Atpworldtour

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