Andy Murray rolled back the years with a vintage comeback at the US Open on Tuesday battling back from two sets down to progress to round two of his comeback Grand Slam.
Playing in his first singles Grand Slam in 18 months because of injury and the coronavirus pandemic, Murray dug deep to prevail in a 4hr 38min bruiser against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, winning 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
“That’s by far the most tennis I’ve played since 2019,” said Murray, who lost in five sets in the first round of the 2019 Australian Open to Roberto Bautista Agut.
US Open, day 2 men’s roundup: Murray gets epic figthback win on Slam return; Medvedev, Thiem advance
“At the beginning of the match I was apprehensive about playing a long match because I hadn’t played one in a while.
“I was sort of pacing myself. Once I got two sets down I had to start putting the after-burners on and managed to get through.”
Murray will play 15th seed Canadian Felix Auger-Allassime in the second round.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the epic comeback win:
#USOpen (🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/bCqvx9zpGR
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 1, 2020
Somebody get this man an ice bath! 😅 🛀@andy_murray has earned a rest after a grueling five-set win. pic.twitter.com/3cyRQxykm6
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2020
The comeback king does it again 👑
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2020
Make it a perfect 🔟 career wins from two sets down for @andy_murray. pic.twitter.com/1XmFWMnPqk
📆 20 months since he last played in a Grand Slam match...
— SPORF (@Sporf) September 1, 2020
😳 From two sets down, and at match point...
🤩 @Andy_Murray fought back to beat Yoshihito Nishioka!
😅... with a metal hip!
👏 Class is permanent. pic.twitter.com/txExQfNwtu
What courage and tenacity from @andy_murray today.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 2, 2020
Earning the win from two sets down for an Open Era record 10th time.
Congratulations, Andy! We’re cheering you on. #champion https://t.co/9hymMIGP8q
Per @MiguelSeabra, four Brits in the #USOpen Men's Singles R2 for the first time since 1974
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 1, 2020
Andy Murray
Cam Norrie
Kyle Edmund
Dan Evans
Both Norrie and Murray saved MPs and cameback from two sets down.
Andy Murray: 'I had totally forgotten I had match point against me.
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) September 1, 2020
Where do I rate it? It's difficult... in terms of like the effort and work and everything that's gone in to getting to this point, it's for sure the hardest. The whole journey.'
How on earth does he do it... I am EXHAUSTED! But as ever, inspired. Thanks and congrats @andy_murray https://t.co/WdTp1QV1hX
— Miranda Hart (@mermhart) September 1, 2020
Andy Murray after hip surgery in 2019: "I feel like this is the end for me"@andy_murray in September 2020: Wins a 4hr 39min five-set epic at the #USOpen
— ITF (@ITF_Tennis) September 1, 2020
Never, ever give up 💪 pic.twitter.com/ulOt1QDmyR
I’m trying very hard, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a British sportsman quite like Andy Murray. Superhuman resolve. Love him.
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) September 1, 2020
Just the sight of Andy Murray's name makes my joints ache on his behalf
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) September 1, 2020
Hip hip hooray. @usopen pic.twitter.com/T0jQACjgCY
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) September 1, 2020
"A four hour and 38 minute infomercial for hip surgery!"
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 1, 2020
-@Jon_Wertheim @Andy_Murray was down and out.
Then he fought.
Then he won.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/Pjofx0oT4v
Props to @avarwallace for this nice little nugget from Andy Murray on whether there would be anyone he wouldn't necessarily want to be watching his matches from the Arthur Ashe suites. pic.twitter.com/80Ydj5RsVF
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) September 1, 2020
.@andy_murray: “If I could be any other sportsman for a day, it would have to be Leo Messi.” #UsOpen pic.twitter.com/KeMibD5K1B
— Quotes on Messi 💬 (@MessiQuote) September 1, 2020