Murray Wins Five-Set Epic On Return To Australian Open

Andy Murray won his first game at the Australian Open after a very long time, he won with an epic five-set victory over 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili on Tuesday.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, playing with a metal hip following career-saving surgery in 2019, battled with the Georgian for almost four hours before claiming his place in the second round.

Scotland’s Murray, ranked 113 and playing as a tournament wild card, showed his trademark fighting spirit to edge home in the gripping final set and clinch a 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 victory in 3hr 52 min on John Cain Arena.

It comes after his tearful exit from the 2019 Melbourne event with the hip injury which raised the possibility of his imminent retirement from tennis before he went ahead with surgery just weeks later.

“Amazing, been a tough three or four years. Put in a lot work to get back here,” a relieved Murray, 34, said on court.