Andy Murray Wins his First ATP Title Since 2017 After Defeating Stan Wawrinka at European Open 2019

Former World No.1 Andy Murray claims his first title of the 2019 season at the European Open 2019 in Antwerp after defeating the former world No.3 Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the finals on Sunday.

Set one

Stan Wawrinka started the match on a high note, holding his opening service game and breaking Murray’s first service game of the match. Andy Murray had the chance to rebreak in tye next game but the Scot squandered two break points as the Swiss held a crucial service game.

The set then saw no breakpoints on either side as Stan Wawrinka went on to close the opening set 6-3 in 43 minutes with a single break of serve.

Set two

Stan Wawrinka took the momentum in the second set as he earned an early break in the third game of the set with Andy Murray struggling with his serves. Wawrinka missed two breakpoint opportunities to put Andy Murray on the back foot in his next service game.

Andy Murray was not ready to give up as he fought back hard to break Wawrinka for the first time in the match at 3-3 and get back on serve. Stan Wawrinka couldn’t capitalize on the two breakpoint opportunities in the ninth game of the set.

The 32-year-old Brit then made a turnaround with a break while Wawrinka was serving to stay in the set as Murray secured the second set 6-4 and forced the match to the decider.

Set three

Stan Wawrinka looked to be back on track in the final set as he broke early to be on the driving seat. However, Murray found a way to get the rebreak in the next game and get back on serve.

The exchange of breaks continued as the world No.18 broke Murray’s serve for the fourth time in the match. However, the Lausanne native squandered the break lead for the 3rd time in the match as Murray broke back in the next game.

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Both the players were fighting for their first title since 2017 with very little to differentiate between them. Stan wasted two breakpoint chance at 4-4 as Murray held his nerves to stay ahead at 5-4.

While serving to stay in the match, Stan Wawrinka was broken by Murray as he closed the set 6-4 and won the match after 2 hours and 30 minutes and broke down into tears after the match.

“Both me and Stan have had a lot of injury problems in the last couple of years and yeah amazing obviously to be back playing against him in the final like that, I think was a great match, Stan was playing unbelievable,” Murray said in the post-match on-court interview.

With this victory, the 32-year-old Scot bagged his first ATP Tour title after 2 years and 8 months since the Dubai Championships 2017. He also claims his first indoor hardcourt title since the ATP Finals 2016.