Andy Murray Continues Singles Comeback with Another Win at China Open 2019
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Former world No.1 Andy Murray records his first back to back single victory since returning from hip surgery as he defeats Cameron Norrie 7-6, 6-7, 6-1 in the second round of the China Open 2019 on Wednesday.
Set One
The two Britons strongly held their service games as the set did not see a single breakpoint opportunity for either player till the 7th game.
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However, Andy Murray stepped up in the next game as he increased the intensity of his shots at the right moment to earn a breakpoint but Cameron Norrie saved it before the former world No.1 finally got his reward as he broke his compatriot to serve out the set.
However, an intelligent game from Norrie tested Murray as he broke him while receiving to stay in the set. The set was them forced to go through the tiebreaker as both the players held their service game till 6-6.
Playing his third consecutive tiebreaker in Beijing, Andy Murray was put on the back foot as he was down a mini-break at 1-3. However, Murray stepped up to win 5 consecutive points and earned 3 set points at 6-3 but Norrie was not ready to give up as he saved all the three set points before Murray earned another set point at 7-6.
The 32-year-old then wrapped the opening set with after clinching the tiebreaker 8-6 in after 1 hour and 6 minutes of play.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, you might want to grab your popcorn for the rest of this match 🍿@Andy_Murray pulls through to take the first set in a tight 7-6(6) from Norrie.#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/SSZ4syhW0b
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 2, 2019
Set two
Andy Murray managed to trouble Cameron Norrie on his serve as he got 3 break point opportunities but the Scott squandered all the three chances.
Wow!!!
Welcome back on tour Sir. @andy_murray #Cmon 💪🏻 https://t.co/q3gq84N5Nl
— BDZ मोहम्मद 🇪🇬 (@mohdfathikamel) October 2, 2019
Norrie increased his level at 3-2 to break Murray for the second time in the match. The 32-year-old was being tested physically as he was breathing heavily and looked really tired after a 37 shot rally.
What a point…
Looks like this amazing point pretty much killed Murray, who dropped intensity and looks super tired. Needs to find some extra energy. https://t.co/abkanBGvoK
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 2, 2019
A tired Murray somehow managed to break Norrie while receiving to stay in the set as he was back on serve at 4-5. Serving to stay in the set, Murray saved a set point to hold a crucial service game.
Andy Murray was grooving as he sensed a match-winning break opportunity at 5-5 but Norrie held his nerves and kept the pressure on Murray with a really good hold.
The second set went to the tiebreaker with Murray playing his fourth consecutive tiebreaker in the last two days. Norrie took the lead in the tiebreaker winning the first three points with two mini-breaks. The 24-year-old then secured the second set after clinching the tiebreaker 7-4.
Andy Murray looked physically cooked during that set but could have won it after Cam Norrie got nervous when ahead. As it is they split sets at 7-6 6-7. Another ridiculously long tennis match with 2 hours 24 mins gone.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) October 2, 2019
Set three
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Andy Murray broke Cameron Norrie in his first service game of the final set as he the latter gifted him the game with a double fault on the breakpoint. While all the momentum was with the former world No.1 as he held his opening two service games at love.
The 32-yer-old was completely in control as Norrie was falling apart after the second break of serve to go down 0-4. Murray then wrapped up the match after nearly 3 hours of tennis as he held his serve while serving for the match.
7-6(6), 6-7(4), 6-1: in 2h52, @andy_murray beats Cameron Norrie and stays alive in the tournament. What a battle! He gave it all out there
— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 2, 2019
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He will meet the winner between Dominic Thiem and Zhizen Zhang in the third round of the Beijing Open 2019.