Good things happen to those who wait. That was the best way to describe Andy Murray’s record-breaking 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-4, win over Kei Nishikori at the ATP Finals in London.
In recent years the world No.1 has struggled at the year-end extravaganza, crashing out in the round robin stages. Since his 2008 debut, Murray has never won his first two matches in the tournament until his Wednesday triumph. His three-hour-and-20-minute conquest of Nishikori has become the longest in ATP Finals history.
Throughout 2016 Nishikori has proven to be a stern test for Murray, taking him to five sets on two occasions at the US Open and Davis Cup. Their London showdown was no exception to this trend as the Japanese player continuously applied pressure onto Murray throughout the opening set. It was clear how much winning this match meant to the world No.1, who was on the verge of slamming his racket onto the ground on Numerous occasions. With neither player managing to find a way to convert their break point opportunities (three for Nishikori and one for Murray), a thrilling 20-point tiebreaker decided the outcome of the opening set.
Firing a forehand cross court winner, it seemed like Nishikori would cruise through the tiebreaker as he elevated himself to 6-3. On the other hand, Murray wasn’t ready to be beaten as he clawed his way back to 6-6 with the help of two clean winners and an error from his rival. Murray then had two chances to seal the lead, but failed to do so. With the interest of the crowd in the O2 Arena reaching their peak, Nishikori finally struck gold after a loose forehand shot from the top seed drifted out.
The 85-minute heartbreak of the first set failed to curve Murray’s determination, who broke for the first time at the start of the second. Suffering the blip, Nishikori’s focused mindset was one that refused to change as he continued battling. The approach rewarded him seven games later, after a backhand shot forced a Murray error, allowing him to break back for 4-4. Still, it wasn’t enough to deny the home favourite. Trading breaks, Murray survived a four-deuce service game to clinch the set and force a decider.
Edged on by the animated British crowd, even the net was on Murray’s side. Back-to-back balls bouncing off the net in Murray’s favour granted him another critical break for 2-1 in the decider. Both men continue to push themselves to their physical limits and neither was afraid to show their emotions.
Nudging towards a significant victory in Murray’s ATP Tour Finals record, a Nishikori double fault moved Murray to a 4-1 stronghold three hours into the blockbuster match. With his opponent getting more and more frustrated, Murray seized the epic win with the help of a Nishikori backhand drifting out.
“I just fought really hard. Kei was making me run and was dictating the points, but then I was starting to get a few free points on my serve and made him work hard on his return.” Said Murray during his on-court interview.
“I eventually got over the line. These are the sort of matches you work so hard for.
“I feel OK right now, but it is the following day when you feel it often. Hopefully there will be another three days to this season and I’ll do my best to get through them.”
Murray can now qualify for the semifinals before his last match if Marin Cilic defeats Stan Wawrinka later on Wednesday night. Nishikori is the first top 5 player that he has beaten since Wawrinka at the French Open semifinals on June 3rd.
Here are the numbers from @andy_murray v #Nishikori after an incredible 3 hours 20 mins on court. #ATPFinals pic.twitter.com/McrKTZh8EX
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) 16 November 2016
