Victory in Antwerp over Wawrinka! Andy Murray shows his big fighter heart
Andy Murray won the ATP tournament in Antwerp. In a thrilling final, he beat Stan Wawrinka 3-6, 6-4 and 6-4, earning his first singles title just nine months after his hip replacement.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Oct 20, 2019, 06:56 pm
It was a competitive encounter between the three-time Major Champs and tour comebackers. Wawrinka made his first break early in the game, taking his third break chance in Murray's first service and pulling away 3-0. Afterwards, he only gave four points for own service.
Also in the second set it was the Swiss, who made the first break, to 2: 1; Murray, however, managed a 3: 3 equalizer. Then the Scot helped the Hawk-Eye: At 4: 4 and Breakball Wawrinka a forehand Murray was found for Aus, both players were already on the way to the break. However, the Challenge Murrays showed the ball on the line. The replay decided Murray for himself and kept his service.
Then Murray had short-term bad luck: A strong forehand at 30:30 was given out, the referee but overruled cope - also repetition. Annoying for Murray, who would have put himself in a much better position with this shot ... Murray threw his cap on the floor for a moment, but then stayed cool, passing "Stan the Man" to the set ball, with two determined backhand boards used.
Murray fights back again and again
The partly high class third movement was followed by a break festival. Wawrinka broke to 2: 1, Murray to 2: 2, Wawrinka to 3: 2, Murray to compensate. Then Murray kept his service. At 4: 4 Wawrinka came again to two break opportunities, but a backhand stuck to the edge of the net.
Wawrinka then did not use four balls to equalize, a forehand sealed off Murray's victory.
Murray: "Last years were extremely difficult"
The final in Antwerp, it was a final of two comebackers: Wawrinka had been operated on the knee in 2017 and had long fought for connection in 2018, but in 2019 again in the top of the world and in the top 20 played. His round of 16 at the French Open against Stefanos Tsitsipas was one of the games of the year.
That Murray could make the connection so soon after his apparent career end, surprised very much. He had started playing doubles again in the summer, his mixed at Wimbledon side by side with Serena Williams had caused quite a stir . The single comeback let Murray tackle slowly, inter alia, at the Nadal Challenger in Mallorca. The tournament of Antwerp, it was only the seventh tournament in singles after his comeback. And a victory only nine months after the hip surgery. Amusing: It was then final opponent Wawrinka, who had given Murray after his hip surgery an oversized Teddy.
"The last few years have been extremely difficult," said Murray. "Also for Stan, he also had a lot of injuries and it's great to play a final today." The tournament victory was one of the biggest in his career, Murray continued. Both actors sat together on the bench until the award ceremony and talked. "You are a wonderful champion, you deserve that," Wawrinka said afterwards.
For Murray it was the 46th tournament victory of his career.