Gritty Stefanos Tsitsipas fought off Andy Murray to silence a partisan Centre Court crowd with a superb five-set victory in a gripping Wimbledon second-round match on Friday.
The 24-year-old Greek trailed by two sets to one after twice Wimbledon champion Murray edged ahead in three tight sets on Thursday night before Wimbledon’s curfew halted play mid-battle.
But when the match resumed in sparkling sunshine on Friday, Tsitsipas was locked in from the first point and gradually wore down his 36-year-old opponent to carve out a 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4 victory.
Murray had looked favourite on Thursday night with the lights on under the closed roof as chanting fans whipped up a soccer-like atmosphere.
With the draw opening up there were even soaring hopes that the British sporting icon could challenge for an unlikely third Wimbledon title. But it was not to be.
“I’m obviously very disappointed just now,” Murray told reporters. “Obviously you never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to play here.
“To be honest, every year that Wimbledon’s not gone how I would like it’s been hard.”
