Murray Beats The Clock To Reach Second Week

As the clock struck 11:00 Andy Murray was granted one more game to book his place in to the second week of Wimbledon preventing the prospect of playing three days in a row from Monday. The closing of the roof allowed the match to continue when light faded at one set all, but rules state play must stop at 11:00 for public safety reasons enforced by the local authority.

With this in mind Murray urgently raced through the fourth set in a nervous race against the clock providing more nail-biting under the roof of centre court. But in the end Murray was able to stretch the deadline to finally prevail at 11:02 against Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus with a score of 7-5 3-6 7-5 6-1.

In windy conditions both players were a little cautious in the early exchanges, trying to adjust to the situation. However early on Baghdatis was the player trying to take the initiative while showing good skills at the net, as the Cypriote claimed the first break points of the match in game eight.

Murray Found His Best Tennis At The Right Times 

But a bold drop shot followed by a forehand pass which just clipped the line from Murray kept an inspired opponent at bay. The British number one was then able to raise his game at the end of the first set when locked a 5-5 as a couple of errors from Baghdatis ultimately cost him the opening set.

Baghdatis, who is now coached by Murray’s former coach Miles Maclagan, started the second set striking the ball well looking to be aggressive. But Murray showed just why he is one of the best in the world soaking up the pressure to claim an early break in the second and everything was all going to plan.

However Baghdatis was relishing the big occasion and a sloppy game from Murray allowed his opponent to break straight back as the momentum quickly shifted. Baghdatis continued to take the ball as he controlled a majority of the points as Murray’s frustration was clear to see losing four games on the spin to trail 5-2. Baghdatis then showed no nerves as he calmly levelled the match, before the roof was closed at 9:00 with the looming prospect of the match running over to the second week.

As the players remerged at 9:35 it was the Cypriote who returned with giant grin across his face to the electric atmosphere on centre court. Murray immediately looked a changed player under the roof serving better from the start. However Baghdatis was not going away easily and after the Brit missed his chances to break the world number 42 was quick to pounce outmuscling Murray to lead 4-2.

At this point the shock result was starting to look a reality. But helped by errors creeping into his opponent’s game Murray was able to increase his intensity and play the tennis we have come to expect from a world number four. After reclaiming the break Murray was forced to show strong character to save double break points at 5-5 before the British number one turned the set sealing another break of serve and a vital third set to the roar of the crowd.

With only twenty five minutes of playing time remaining the Brit’s attention turned to the clock, as Murray spurred on by an audience desperate to see the conclusion produced some of his better offensive tennis securing multiple breaks against a fading opponent.

Murray’s now earns a well-deserved day off before he retakes to the court on Monday to face Croatian Marin Cilic who came through his own marathon finally beating Sam Querrey 17-15 in the fifth.