sitsipas vs Murray LIVE!
Andy Murray is just one set away from a statement Wimbledon victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas as play resumes on Centre Court this afternoon. An 11pm curfew halted the two-time winner’s epic charge under the roof late last night, having come from a set down to take a 2-1 lead into Friday despite slipping and yelling out in pain in worrying scenes during the third set.
Murray will hope to have shrugged off that groin issue and recovered his body sufficiently to try and finish the job with the roof back open today, on the 10th anniversary of the Scot’s first title at the All England Club. Those watching will be anticipating more of the same after a trademark display of grit, skill and grasscourt nous saw him go up 6-7 (3) 7-6 (2) 6-4 on the Greek world No5.
Murray is joined in action on a busy day five at SW19 by fellow Britons Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady, with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic also out on court this afternoon. Follow the resumption of Andy Murray vs Stefanos Tsitsipas live with Dom Smith at Wimbledon below!
Live updates
Match report (so far)
Andy Murray rolled back the years last night on Centre Court. Neither player deserved to lose the first set, but perhaps it was just-about merited that Tsitsipas got over the line in the tiebreak, with his serving and his flat forehand smashes just a little cleaner than Murray’s.
But the Scot rallied and despite falling down with suspected cramp and yelping out as he attempted to serve out for a two-sets-to-one lead, he recovered and won the third set. He now leads 2-1 and both sets he won, he was the marginally better player for.
Standard Sport’s sports correspondent Matt Majendie was sat just in front of me on Centre Court, watching on.
Here is his match report so far.
Recap
It was a scintillating start to the match late last night under the roof on Centre Court. However, after a night’s sleep and with the roof now fully off on the best weather day of the Championships so far, will Andy Murray dip or raise his level?
He leads Stefanos Tsitsipas (3)6-7, 7-6(2), 6-4 after the first three sets.
Welcome back
Good afternoon and welcome back to Standard Sport’s live coverage of an epic second-round clash between Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon!
Thanks for joining us
Thanks for following The Evening Standard’s coverage of Andy Murray’s second-round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas here on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Tune in tomorrow when we will continue to provide live updates when the match is completed.
Ciao!
Play suspended
After the most dramatic moment — Murray winning the third set one point after collapsing in agony — the chair umpire announces that this match will be completed tomorrow.
Boos inevitably follow. Murray leads (3)6-7, 7-6(2), 6-4.
WHAT HAVE I JUST WATCHED
Tsitsipas 7-6(3), (2)6-7, 4-6 Murray
Andy Murray moves a set up!
His opponent slaps the ball into the net to put 2015 Davis Cup winner Murray 30-0 up. Murray’s wife Kim offers a standing ovation as Murray gains three set points.
He slices wide with the first, wrinkling his face as he turns away in disappointment.
He misses the first, and then the second the ball flies past him and he yelps out in agony.
It looks as though Murray is injured, but he recovers to win the set on the next point. He’s 2-1 up
Tsitsipas holds and Murray is a hold away from taking the third set
Tsitsipas 7-6(3), (2)6-7, 4-5 Murray
Okay, Tsitsipas holds, but look at Andy Murray, 36, metal hip and all, go! At 30-0 down on the Tsitsipas serve, he wins a superb point while rooted by his opponent to the baseline as Tsitsipas mis-hits into the net.
Then Murray is level at 30-30 with a brilliant net shot.
But Tsitsipas is not thinking about losing the third set — least of all while serving. 4-5.
Hold to love for Murray
Tsitsipas 7-6(3), (2)6-7, 3-5 Murray
Murray’s first serve sends his opponent tumbling and stumbling for 15-0. Then Tsitsipas lobs Murray which leads the Scot to miss in the tramlines.
The chalk flies up as Murray moves ahead thanks to a textbook ace, and then he’s denied another as the ball is adjudged to have just clipped the tape.
He serves cleanly for 40-0, and then even more cleanly to hold to love. There haven’t been too many of those on Murray’s serve. The Murray chants are out.
Tsitsipas makes light work again
Tsitsipas 7-6(3), (2)6-7, 3-4 Murray
It’s another hold of serve made to look very simple indeed for Tsitsipas, as the 24-year-old puts a couple of neat winners away to nudge himself back into contention in the set, just one game behind Murray.
Tsitsipas’s forehand truly is something to behold.
Murray holds to stay two ahead
Tsitsipas 7-6(3), (2)6-7, 2-4 Murray
At 40-15, Tsitsipas plays a lob over Murray. Murray swivels on his axis and cannons the ball into the net.
A second-serve ace sees Tsitsipas beaten and Murray 4-2 ahead in the third set. His first-game break remains.