Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Andy Murray 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the US Open.
Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray in a thrilling five-time US Open first round match at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday.
Tsitsipas defeated the 112th-ranked British star 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. fortnight.
"It was not easy," said Tsitsipas. "I had to make a lot of sacrifices on the court to get back."
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, would have been the lowest-ranked player to defeat a top-three opponent at the US Open since rankings began in 1973.
Murray, a two-time Olympic champion, winner of the 2012 US Open and 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon, lost 15 matches for the first time at the US Open despite cheering in an almost perfect venue.
"Having a power environment here is something we've been waiting for almost a year," Tsitsipas said.
This year's French Open runner-up Tsitsipas took a long break before the final set, frustrating Murray, who surrendered a break in the opening game.
Murray forced a break point in the fourth game but Tsitsipas saved it with a forehand winner and took a 3–1 lead.
Tsitsipas made love in the final game to end Murray's bold attempt after four hours 49 minutes and advance to a second-round match against France's Adrian Mannarino.
"I hope I can keep my game at the same level it was today," Tsitsipas said.
In the first set, Murray broke twice on Tsitsipas' unforced errors for a 4–1 lead, then later struck a forehand volley winner that earned him a set point and in gusto with his right hand five times into the air. punched.
Moments later, he finished the first set in 42 minutes to a serve winner.
In the second-set tie-breaker, Murray delivered a lob winner to lead 5–3, but slipped over the net during the volley exchange and not only lost points but appeared to have damaged his shoe.
Tsitsipas used a backhand to give Murray two set points at 6-4, but the 23-year-old Greek star won five of the next six to grab the set and level the match.
Murray shouted to his support staff in the stands that he didn't have another pair of shoes in the tie-break and complained about the inaccuracy in details after leaving the set. Murray walked off the court leaving his shoes behind during the break.
Murray broke through in the second game of the third set and was out there, finishing the set with a forehand to the line winner after three hours.
Tsitsipas, who had a trainer, treated his left leg after set three, taking the fourth set to take a 5–0 lead.
rush energy returns
Enthusiastic spectators added energy to the spectacle at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where defending champion Naomi Osaka was set to play later. Fans were not allowed at last year's US Open due to COVID-19 safety issues and this year's ticketholders must show proof of vaccination to participate.
2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens said, "It was brutal to play without fans here. Because of these fans and the energy, the atmosphere, it brings a lot back to tennis."
Two-time Grand Slam champions Simona Halep and Stephens entered the second round with victories. Stephens beat fellow American Madison Keys 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (9/7) and Romanian Halep 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) over Camila Giorgi of Italy.
"We missed the people in the crowd a lot," Halep said.
The biggest joy of all time would be to congratulate Osaka on securing her third US Open title in four years in a night feature match against 87th-ranked Czech Marie Bouzkova.
Russia's fifth seed Andrey Rublev took the lead with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over 221st ranked Ivo Karlovic. The 42-year-old was the oldest US Open qualifier in the Croatian Open Era (since 1968).
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