Andy Murray Wins his First ATP Title Since 2017 After Defeating Stan Wawrinka at European Open 2019
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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.
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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.
Stan the Man has the upper hand.@StanWawrinka outplays Andy Murray in the first set to take it 6-3.
The title is within reach.Follow along on Plus →https://t.co/kOnpr5MzDM#EuropeanOpen2019 pic.twitter.com/Gxg3CFEiHX
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 20, 2019
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.
Well this has gotten interesting.@Andy_Murray pulls himself up to capture the second set from Wawrinka 6-4. We are heading into a decider 😮
Tune in now →https://t.co/kOnpr5MzDM#EuropeanOpen2019 pic.twitter.com/EOlJO55P7l
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 20, 2019
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.
https://twitter.com/JustinDeegan_/status/1185953058640941056?s=19
Andy Murray in 3rd set battle with Stan Wawrinka ATP Final – 3-3
— AlisonB (@ABalharry62) October 20, 2019
What a great game in Antwerp, final set and Andy Murray proving that he has not gone away and still has it. The match can still go either way.
— Maurice Dougan (@CabbageAndRibs) October 20, 2019
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.
What a player. What a champion.
The winning moment for @andy_murray at the 2019 @EuroTennisOpen 🏆
🎥: @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/OrqZ3IuoS8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 20, 2019
This incredible story continues.@andy_murray is the 2019 @EuroTennisOpen champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/oLqmuTM2IW
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 20, 2019
PERSEVERED. @andy_murray wins his first singles title since March 2017, defeating Wawrinka 3-6 6-4 6-4 in Antwerp! pic.twitter.com/IcB08cZVCe
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 20, 2019
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Andy Murray has done it! Comes back from a set and a break down to beat Stan Wawrinka 3-6 6-4 6-4 in the final of the European Open in Antwerp. What a remarkable story, and testament to his extraordinary perseverance and resilience. pic.twitter.com/xUsB90s9Us
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) October 20, 2019
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“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.
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