Wimbledon: Murray enters third round after a five-setter

Source From: IANS 2021-07-01 16:19:12

Home favourite Andy Murray, who had been practicing with Roger Federer ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, won a marathon five-setter 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 against German Oscar Otte to reach the third round here.

Murray, 34, was granted a wild card for this year's Wimbledon as the three-time Grand Slam champion had been suffering setbacks while trying to return to the tour after hip surgeries.

The former world No. 1 spent three-and-a-half hours to see off 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round on Monday and needed to fight 20 minutes longer on Wednesday against Otte, who played at the grass-court Grand Slam for the first time, Xinhua reports.

Murray took the first set 6-3 but Otte came from behind to win the following two sets 6-4, 6-4. The duo see-sawed until the centre court's roof was closed and the lights were turned on as Murray wrapped the game up 6-4, 6-2.

Murray said the win meant a lot to him as he had been suffering many setbacks while trying to return from injuries.