Andy Murray survives scare to defeat Max Purcell at Canadian Open
Andy Murray survived a scare on the Canadian Open with a 7-6(2) 3-6 7-5 victory over qualifier Max Purcell. It marks simply the third time since 2017 that the Brit has reached the round-of-16 at a Masters 1000 occasion. Murray got here again from a break down within the closing set, edging by in two hours and 47 minutes.
Murray was dealing with Purcell for the second time after defeating the Australian on the grass courts of Newport simply over a yr in the past. The qualifier made his Masters 1000 principal draw debut on Tuesday evening, beautiful tenth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime who has been struggling for type of late.
It was the world No 40 who arrange the primary break alternatives of the match within the third recreation and he pumped his fist as he transformed the second to steer 3-1. But Purcell fired again and instantly broke in response as a pissed off Murray may very well be seen chattering away at his bench in the course of the change of ends.
The 36-year-old needed to save one other break level at 4-4 and the set went to a tiebreak, the place the Australian gave Murray an early mini-break lead on a double fault. Murray raised his stage within the essential moments, snatching the primary set 7-6(2) after 67 minutes.
The three-time former champion in Canada appeared to be taking the momentum however Purcell sprung into life with Murray serving at 2-3 and arrange triple break level. The world No 40 despatched the ball broad and screamed because the 25-year-old took the lead within the second set.
With the Australian serving for the second set, Murray had a lifeline with a break level. But Purcell held on and went on to drive a decider, taking it 6-3. The former world No 1 blew one other a break level on Purcell’s serve early within the third and it was the world No 78’s flip to have an opportunity at 2-2.
He transformed it as Murray dumped the ball into the online, shedding 5 factors in a row after main 40-0. The 36-year-old hit a ball in frustration and obtained a warning. But there was nothing he may do about Purcell’s stage because the qualifier fired down three aces within the subsequent recreation.
Once once more, Murray discovered himself at deuce after going 40-0 up on his personal serve. This time he was capable of escape and he out of the blue had triple break level on the Purcell serve and managed to take the second, drawing stage at 4-4.
Murray had two match factors with Purcell serving to remain alive however could not convert them, throwing his racket when the Australian saved each. He had three extra match factors at 6-5 and this time, the world No 40 managed to safe the victory on the fourth time of asking.
He now performs seventh seed Jannik Sinner within the round-of-16. The pair have confronted off twice earlier than and their head-to-head is all sq.. The world No 40 beat the Italian in Stockholm in 2021 whereas Sinner bought revenge in Dubai final yr.