Stefanos Tsitsipas hails Andy Murray after 'nerve-wracking' experience, Laura Robson says curfew helped Greek
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Updated 07/07/2023 at 20:14 GMT+1
Stefanos Tsitsipas was full of praise for Andy Murray after eliminating the Scot from Wimbledon following their second-round match. Murray was leading by two sets to one on Thursday night when play was suspended because of the 11pm curfew. Tsitsipas roared back to take the two sets on Friday despite the Greek admitting the match was a "nerve-wracking" experience.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas has admitted it was a “nerve-wracking” experience to play against Andy Murray as he revealed his admiration for the three time Grand-Slam winner.
Murray was leading the second-round match at Wimbledon by two sets to one on Thursday night when play was suspended because of the 11pm curfew.
However, the 36-year-old lost both sets on Friday's resumption as Tsitsipas proved too strong, securing a 6-7(3) 7-6 (2) 6-4 6-7(3) 4-6 win.
It brings an end to Murray’s Wimbledon journey for this year at least. Murray is a two-time winner of the slam having beaten Novak Djokovic in 2013 and then Milos Raonic three years later.
Tsitsipas was full of praise for Murray at the match’s conclusion, saying: "It's never easy against Andy, I know. Everyone loves him here.
“It was a very difficult game and I'm impressed how well he holds up after his hip surgeries and his level today. I wish him the best in the future.
"It was nerve-wracking. It was an obstacle and it's extra difficult when you've grown up watching him play on this court.
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"I had goosebumps when he won his first Wimbledon title and his courageous run in 2012.
"I looked up to him, Roger (Federer) Novak (Djokovic) and Rafa (Nadal) so these four guys shaped the game and they are reason I am the player I am today."
Meanwhile, Eurosport expert Laura Robson believes the different outcome may have been different had the match played to a conclusion on Thursday.
“It’s a bit of should have, would have, could have,” Robson began.
“But I do think Andy had the best chance to win if they carried on last night, and I’m sure that’s going through his mind right now because the break in play definitely changed things, the conditions changed things.
“Maybe he just had more time to think about the win as well because it looked like towards the end of the fourth set in particular they were starting to come off the ball, he was starting to play too softly at times, especially the forehand.
“You never know, I guess. But I’m sure he’s thinking that he had the best possible chance last night.”
Mats Wilander believes that Tsitsipas just had too much quality for the 36-year-old, praising the Greek's mindset.
He said: “Unbelievable. I mean, the strength and character for Stefanos Tsitsipas, being down two sets to one under completely different circumstances and then have to come back today and really advantage, I think, of the sunshine.
“And I mean, Stefanos, he’s a great player, he hasn’t had a great grass court season. Maybe didn’t play so well on play but still, he’s on tour, he’s top 10, he’s match tough. Andy Murray is match tough but on a different level and I think that showed eventually today.
“Yes, he’s won a lot of matches on the challenge tour but you’re competing against one of the world’s best players in Stefanos Tsitsipas.”
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You can watch daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm on Eurosport 2 and discovery+ from July 3, as well as the two singles finals live on July 15 and 16.
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