Australian Open: Andy Murray produces stunning fightback to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis past 4am in his longest ever match

ByEurosport

Updated 19/01/2023 at 20:05 GMT

In a match that swung back and forth, lasting well over five hours and deep into the Melbourne night, it was Andy Murray who eventually got the better of Thanasi Kokkinakis to reach the third round of the Australian Open in five thrilling sets that will go down as one of the best matches of the slam. Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

'It's ridiculous' - Murray wins EPIC point against Kokkinakis

Andy Murray fought back from two sets down in an all-time classic with Thanasi Kokkinakis to book his place in the third round of the Australian Open, their engrossing encounter finishing past 4am and lasting 5 hours and 45 minutes in the longest match of Murray's career.

The five-time former finalist beat Kokkinakis 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling and at times tempestuous encounter that went late into the Melbourne night.

At five hours and 45 minutes, it was the longest ever match of Murray’s storied career and his 40th five-setter at Grand Slams - his record in these matches now sitting at 27-13.

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Murray looked to silence the boisterous crowd with a dominant early hold at the start of the match but failure to convert three early break points proved fatal as Kokkinakis’ serve only improved from then on.

The first break went the way of the Australian who dropped just a single point on his three remaining service games to win the set, with Murray finding it difficult to muster much of a response.

The start of the second saw the match stay on serve but at 4-4 a visibly frustrated Murray was broken to love by Kokkinakis, who continued to be roared on by the crowd inside Margret Court Arena.

The 25-year-old now had the opportunity to serve for a two-set lead the writing was on the wall when an ace set up two set points.

Murray was able to dig deep to save both for deuce and remarkably soon had break point of his own.

Although able to save it, a first double fault of the match from Kokkinakis then opened the door for Murray who screamed in delight as his opponent following it up by sending a wild forehand down the trams.

A swift hold put the pressure back on Kokkinakis who held himself to send the set to a tie-break.

The home favourite regained his momentum and soon had four set points, converting the third to leave himself one set from a famous victory.

Murray’s race looked run at the start of the third after he was broken to love and failed to convert three break points in the very next game.

However, the tide seemed to turn when Kokkinakis totally lost his composure in a row with the umpire and Murray secured a vital break with one of the points of the tournament following a sensational rally.

'It's ridiculous' - Murray wins EPIC point against Kokkinakis

A Murray hold to love suggested momentum had shifted in his favour but he was soon broken back as the Kokkinakis got his head back in the game.

Murray then held again to force Kokkinakis to serve for the match but incredibly broke yet again.

With the match back on serve, a second tie-break was needed which saw Murray finally get a foothold as the errors started to pile up for his opponent.

As both men started to feel the effects of a gruelling encounter, it was Kokkinakis who blinked first in the fourth as Murray secured the first break for a 4-2 lead.

As Murray served for the set, Kokkinakis missed two opportunities to break back and so were into a decider.

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At this point, just shy of 3am local time, it was Murray’s turn to lose his cool as he launched into a rant at the umpire over the time and the fact the players weren’t allowed to go to the toilet.

Murray spied an opportunity at 3-3 but saw four break points come and go in an important hold for the Australian.

The two remained neck and neck in the set but Murray edged ahead on his fourth break point at 5-5, finally getting the opportunity to serve for the match.

The 35-year old three-time Grand Slam winner held his nerve to move into the third round for eighth time in his career at the conclusion of a match that will live long in the memory.

He will now face Roberto Bautista Agut who also needed five sets to beat American Brandon Holt.