Andy Murray rolled back the years to defeat 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in a five-set epic at the Australian Open on Tuesday, on a day when sweltering heat and then heavy rain played havoc.
Ban of flags
There was also controversy off the court on Day Two after organisers banned Russian and Belarusian flags at Melbourne Park. The day looked set to belong to the 35-year-old Murray—and Melbourne’s famously fickle weather.
Matteo Berrettini
The Briton saved match point to defeat Italy’s Berrettini 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/6) in 4hrs, 49 mins on Rod Laver Arena, where the roof was closed because of the extreme heat. “I will be feeling [after effects] this evening and tomorrow,” said the former World No.1, who plays with a metal hip after career-saving surgery.“But right now unbelievably happy and proud of myself.” The three-time major winner faces either Fabio Fognini or Thanasi Kokkinakis in Round Two.
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Rublev stuns Thiem
Also in the men’s draw, Russia’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev ended the tournament of 2020 finalist Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) temperatures.
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