2020 in Review: Andy Murray stuns Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati for season-best win

The two-time Cincinnati champion Andy Murray advanced to the third round, prevailing over the 5th seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in two and a half fours. Competing for the first time since the Davis Cup Finals in November 2019, the three-time Major champion defeated two young guns in New York, playing on a high level in the decider against Frances Tiafoe and moving into the last 16 following a massive win over the German. It was the first top-10 triumph for Andy since Roland Garros 2017, and the best Masters 1000 tournament since Paris 2016 when he won the title, the last one at this level! Struggling with injuries in the previous four years, Andy had to undergo two hip surgeries to take the pain away and start competing again, eager to extend his career and fight for notable titles. Murray won four points more than Zverev, fending off eight out of 11 break chances and delivering four breaks from eight opportunities to emerge at the top and set the Milos Raonic clash.

It wasn't the best performance we could see from these two, with Zverev hitting 31 winners and 49 unforced errors, followed by Murray's 16-31 ratio. There was nothing to separate them in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, with the Briton taking four points more in the most advanced rallies to seal the deal after a titanic battle.

Andy Murray came from 5-4 down in the final set to beat Alexander Zverev.

Andy held at 15 in games one and three to settle into a fine rhythm, securing a break in the next one to open a 3-1 gap when the German netted a forehand. A service winner pushed Murray 4-1 ahead, defending two break chances in game seven with bold hitting and closing the opening set at 5-3 when Zverev sprayed a forehand mistake. The German saved two break points at the beginning of the second set with winners, earning three break opportunities at 3-2.

Staying calm, Andy repelled them with service winners but couldn't do the same at 3-4, getting broken after a loose shot at the net and allowing Alexander to close the set in the next game and force a decider. Starting all over, Murray landed a break at 2-1 in the decider thanks to a return winner and held after deuce to confirm the advantage and open a 4-1 gap following Zverev's loose forehand. Ready to fight, Alexander broke back at love in game seven and secured another break at 4-4 when Murray netted an easy forehand. Standing two points away from victory, Alexander got broken in game ten thanks to a double fault, keeping Murray in contention and losing momentum after failing to bring the victory home. Andy held at 15 in game 11 and sealed the deal with a backhand return winner a few minutes later for a remarkable comeback and the place in the last 16.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2WMJJCh