Competing in his fourth Olympic Games, two-time gold singles medalist Andy Murray, partnering World No. 58 Daniel Evans, did what seemed impossible, saving seven match points across two matches to continue dreaming big, a feat reserved for the greatest in tennis history.
In their first rounder at the venue, they made it through the Japanese team Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel 2-6, 7-6(5), 11-9, saving five match points in the process.
On Tuesday, in the deciding tiebreak, they held their nerves to save two match points, flipping the script to seal a dramatic 6-3, 6-7 (8), 11-9 victory over Belgium’s duo Gille Sander and Vliegen Joran in two hours and four minutes, progressing into the doubles quarterfinals.
PURE emotions!
— ITF (@ITFTennis) July 30, 2024
Andy's face, Dan's celebration. No more words needed. #Paris2024 | #Olympics | #tennis pic.twitter.com/YJxF5pk3X4
Murray, 37, who is playing the final tournament of his career at the Olympic Games, put on a fierce fight alongside countryman Evans to keep their dream alive by overpowering the Belgians, last year’s Roland-Garros semifinalists, on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Tuesday evening.
The British pair made a strong start, racing to take a 3-0 lead, marching to fend off a break point when serving for the set, eventually taking the opener 6-3 in 43 minutes.
However, little would separate the Brits from opponents Gille/Vliegen as a tight second set wore on, unfolding into a tiebreak the Belgians closed out 6-7(8) when Evans double-faulted.
In the super-tiebreak (the best-of-10), with the fans at the edge of their seats, the Britons’ dramatic efforts paid off when it mattered most, surging from 7-9 down to wrap up the tiebreaker 11-9 and the match, firing a forehand overhead winner, jumping in celebration into the next round.
Next, they will face off against either third-seeded American team Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul or Dutch pair Robin Haase and Jean-Julie Rojen, scheduled as the third match on Court 14 on Wednesday.
They finished with 35 winners against 23 unforced errors, compared to the team of Belgium, 27 and 32 respectively.
A Player That Inspires
The Scot’s trademark resilience and determination created a unique atmosphere among the fans in the stadium.
Once and again, he made everyone forget he plays with a “metal” hip - underwent two hip resurfacing surgeries in 2018-19- in the face of retirement, such is his incredible talent, intensity, and passion for the sport, which he showcases in every match he plays.
Before the Olympics, the three-time Grand Slam champion announced his retirement following his final appearance in Paris. And 2024 has not been easy physically on the only tennis player in history to have won two Olympic singles gold medals.
Late in March at the Miami Open, he ruptured both ankle ligaments, his Anterior Talo-Fubular ligament (ATFL) and Calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), sidelining the player from the tennis courts for two months.
As always, Murray came back, but the two-time Wimbledon champion missed his home major due to a back injury, which required surgery on a spinal cyst and additional recovery time.
They said all good things must come to an end, just not today.