Australian Open – 2nd round: At the end of the night, Andy Murray overcomes Thanasi Kokkinaki

Andy Murray is indestructible! This Thursday, the Briton, 66th player in the world, overthrew the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, 159th player in the world, in five sets (4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 7- 5) and 5:45 a.m., in the second round of the Australian Open 2023. After an incredible meeting that ended at more than 4 a.m., the Scotsman, for his next appointment, will face the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, 25th player in the world and seeded No. 24, who eliminated American Brandon Holt, 215th player in the world and from qualifying, in five sets (4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6 -2, 6-2) and 2h59 of play.

It was 4:06 am, on the Melbourne side, when Andy Murray concluded this meeting, on his very first match point. Despite this very late hour, the Margaret Court Arena was still packed, with many supporters to give voice. Their little protege, Thanasi Kokkinakis, rewarded them with very high quality points. But also moments of distraction. Like when after winning the first two sets, he found himself serving to win the game, even finding himself two points from being able to raise his arms, at 5-3.

Andy Murray’s break finally came on two consecutive unforced errors. The start of the fourth round was then a big fight, with only two small games played in almost half an hour and the debates finally balanced out. The Scot held, physically, to the point of breaking at 3-2, before concluding, despite two break points saved (6-3). In the final round, the former world number one was not worried about his serve this time. It was even he who got all the break points, four at 3-3 then four others at 5-5. Enough to allow him to take the necessary advantage and conclude in stride (7-5).