CNN
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Andy Murray’s fairytale run on the Australian Open got here to an finish on Saturday after he used to be overwhelmed by means of Roberto Bautista Agut.
The three-time grand slam winner has delighted crowds in Melbourne this 12 months by means of rolling again the years to win two marathon fits however Bautista Agut proved a step too a long way.
The Spaniard received in 4 units – 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-4 – and regarded relieved to have in any case discovered a well past his opponent when he received fit level.
Murray had spent greater than 10.5 hours on court docket heading into the 3rd spherical fit and he struggled to transport at issues.
The 35-year-old had wanted 5 units to overcome Matteo Berrettini within the first spherical of the event after which rallied from two units down to overcome Thanasi Kokkinakis in an epic contest which lasted 5 hours and 45 mins and completed at 4.05am. The 2d spherical fit, which completed on Friday morning, used to be the longest of Murray’s occupation.
It used to be no marvel, then, that Murray regarded exhausted as he struggled to get grips with the primary set which used to be over earlier than it actually started.
But, as he has executed all the way through his occupation, Murray dug deep and rallied from a spoil down in the second one set to win an astonishing tie spoil.
It used to be but any other instance of the grit and resolution Murray brings to the game of tennis however, in this instance, it simply wasn’t sufficient.
The grueling 2d set looked as if it would take its toll on Murray as Bautista Agut had the brink for the remainder of the fit.
Murray by no means went away although, and persevered to punish his opponent till the very finish and produced an array of shocking pictures.
After dropping fit level, Murray gained a status ovation from the gang as he limped off the court docket.
The pair had prior to now met at the Margaret Court Arena in 2019 in what used to be supposedly Murray’s closing sport on the grand slam.
But the veteran made up our minds to proceed his occupation and, after receiving a couple of therapies for accidents, Murray has proved he nonetheless has extra to provide 4 years later.
“2 days ago I randomly bumped into the doctor who in 2017 told me ‘the good news is the problem you have in your hip can be fixed but you won’t be able to play professional sport again.’ I think we dispelled that myth the last 5 days,” Murray tweeted after the fit on Saturday.
Bautista Agut will now play American Tommy Paul within the closing 16.
“Always playing Andy is very tough,” Bautista Agut stated right through his on-court interview.
“He knows very well how to play a grand slam match. I am happy with how I handled the nerves and tension through the match, to play good tennis. I am very happy with the win.”
