Andy Murray’s dreams of a triumphant Wimbledon victory on the 10th anniversary of his 2013 title win were shattered in the second round by fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Due to Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew, the match was halted on Thursday with Murray ultimately losing 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (2-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 on Friday.
In a disappointing turn of events for British fans, Cameron Norrie, the country’s number one player, also suffered defeat, losing 3-6 6-3 2-6 6-7 (3-7) to Christopher Eubanks. Additionally, Liam Broady, ranked fifth in Britain, was defeated 4-6 6-2 7-5 7-5 by the 26th seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the third round. As a result, British interest in the men’s draw came to an end, dampening the spirits of home fans at the All England Club. The only remaining hope lies with Katie Boulter, the British women’s number one player, who will face defending champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the fourth round.
Despite a lackluster performance at Queen’s prior to the tournament, which led to Murray missing out on a seeding, he remained optimistic about his chances at Wimbledon. He believed he had the skills and experience to challenge any opponent on the grass courts of SW19. However, his encounter with the formidable Tsitsipas proved to be a true test.
During the interrupted match, Murray gained momentum and took the lead before play was halted. When the game resumed the following day, Tsitsipas maintained his composure, winning the tie-break and gradually taking control of the match. Murray’s serve came under immense pressure in the third game of the deciding set, ultimately leading to his defeat.
Despite the loss, Murray received a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd, demonstrating his enduring spirit. Although the break in play offered some hope for a fairytale comeback, Tsitsipas ultimately proved too strong. Murray returned on Friday hoping to secure his most significant victory in terms of ranking since the 2013 final, but Tsitsipas showcased his serving prowess and didn’t face a single break point.
Reflecting on the match, Tsitsipas acknowledged the challenge posed by Murray and the physical toll it took on him, stating, “He can make it a marathon, and I had to work extra hard. My legs are sore – he made me run left and right, up and down for how many hours.”
