Andy Murray’s greater experience and defensive skills saw off rising German star Alexander Zverev on Tuesday as he launched his bid to end a heartbreaking run at the Australian Open.
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Murray has the reached the final four times in Australia but lost every time, including a year ago to Djokovic.
‘He’s still filling out his physique but he’s got a very good game and he serves well, ‘ Murray said.
“Alex fought right through to the last point and it was obviously tough conditions today”.
Williams lost 6-4, 6-2 to Johanna Konta, her eighth first-round loss at a major.
Murray, who has promised to fly home if his wife Kim goes into labour, added: “I’m more excited than nervous”. I think so. And many people see it that way.
“I think across all sports, I don’t think that that’s done particularly well”. But if he does make it, he will be hoping for Roger Federer to burn up plenty of Djokovic’s energy – mental and physical – before the final. “Because I don’t believe the players are allowed to be sponsored by betting companies but then the tournaments are”.
“I do think that this is a tournament where I play my best tennis consistently but I am going to need to do something a little bit special here if I want to win it”.
Zverev won the Australian Open boys event in 2014 before focusing on competing at senior level for the rest of the season and winning a remarkable 33 of the 63 matches he played through the season.
The sixth game, which Zverev began with a brilliant forehand victor, ended with another double fault to hand Murray the double break and a 5-1 lead. I think it’s a credit to me and a credit to my team that I was able to come out and beat a guy who is still ranked much above me. He hung in. He’s young, one of the best young best players in the world, going to be around for a very long time.
Samantha Stosur of Australia in action against Kristyna Pliskova of Czech Republic during their first round match for the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2016. “He is one of the biggest reasons why I’m top 100 now, because I started to really feel stronger”.
The game reversed an epic 5-hour, 14-minute semifinal Nadal and Verdasco played in 2009 at Melbourne Park, which Nadal won in five sets and went on to take the title.
Murray will have Mauresmo back in his coaches box on Tuesday for the first grand slam since Wimbledon but there will be no Bjorkman after his involvement ended following the Frenchwoman’s return from maternity leave. “First win since the US Open, so it’s good to get the first one off my back”. “Somebody is cheating? Give me some names, I want to know”, Gulbis said laughing.
Andy Murray has urged sports authorities to become more transparent following the recent match-fixing allegations claimed by an investigation carried out by BuzzFeed news and the BBC.
Zverev grew in confidence as the match entered its latter stages, his early tension perhaps released by Murray’s dominance, but even the most entertaining rallies largely ended with the Briton on top.
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The 21-time Grand Slam champion pulled out of the Hopman Cup last week with the injury and was photographed receiving treatment on the knee after struggling during a practice session on Saturday.
