MURRAY AGONY

‘If it was my last match, what an amazing way to end’ says Murray after his painful five-set battle

AFTER a rousing fightback and over four hours of ridiculous tennis, Andy Murray was still able to find the right words amid all the emotion.

“If it was my last match, it was an amazing way to end,” he said. “I literally gave everything I had.”

Just like throughout his career, the dogged Scot refused to give in as he wrote another unforgettable chapter in the Murray story. And just like he always has in Melbourne – where he has lost five painful finals – he came up agonisingly short. The three-time Major champion looked set to limp to a sad straight-sets defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut, before turning back the clock to rediscover his old magic to win two tiebreaks and take this epic encounter to a decider.

Even by his own standards, victory here with his dodgy hip would have ranked up there alongside his Grand Slam titles, Olympic golds and the Davis Cup.

And a vocal crowd – including mum Judy and brother Jamie – were desperate to see a fairy-tale victory. But with Murray’s physical condition visibly deteriorating, the world No.23 recovered his early ruthlessness to win 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 6-2 in four hours and nine minutes. He was the tennis equivalent of the hunter who shot Bambi’s mother.

And the former world No.1 must now decide how many more dates he will play on his farewell tour.

The Scot was poor in his practice match with Novak Djokovic last week but, just as his retirement announcement released his tension off-court, it seemed to do the same for his tennis.

Murray, who took painkillers yesterday, said: “Today, I knew it was potentially the last match I play. I don’t care if I damage my hip any more in the match, so it’s a bit easier to deal with the pain.”

Despite the support in his favourite Melbourne Arena and two trademark backhand winners down the line, Murray’s lack of match sharpness showed with seven unforced forehand errors in the 50-minute opening set.

And the Scot’s struggles caused murmurs of sympathy from the crowd as he was two sets down after 90 minutes.

Murray was soon a break down in the third set before the fightback began. He finally broke Bautista Agut for the first time – and raised his arms in triumph – during a run of winning eight consecutive points before claiming the first tiebreak.

There were no break points in the fourth set, before Murray took the second tiebreak and returned to his seat shouting and the crowd screaming with the miracle definitely on. The world No.230 started the final set superbly as he won his first service game and then led 0-30. But a series of errors let the Spaniard off the hook and he quickly broke twice to lead 5-1.

The Scot acknowledged a rousing standing ovation before his final service hold by raising his racquet to the crowd as he fought back more tears.

“I was emotional at that moment – it was cool,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve had that before in any matches. It was brilliant.”

After the match, the big screen in the Melbourne Arena showed tributes from Roger Federer, Rafa

Nadal and Djokovic.

“If today was my last match, it was a brilliant way to finish,” Murray added.

“I’d be OK with that being my last match.”