Andy Murray completes stunning recovery from two sets down to beat Yoshihito Nishioka at US Open
simon briggs
·22 min read
Murray celebrates winning after over four and a half hours on court - AP
“An unprecedented adventure,” was how Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey – commentating on Amazon Prime – described our experience of following his career. This was another of those glorious moments, as the greatest son of British tennis came back from a two-set deficit to defeat Yoshihito Nishioka in 4hr 38min.
Murray clenched his fists and roared as he saluted his 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory, which he brought up with a magnificent forehand lob. It is hard to see how he will be able to drag himself back onto the court on Thursday. But never mind. This was the sort of win he must have been dreaming of when he forced himself through those endless hours of mind-numbing rehab, strengthening the muscles around his new metal hip.
After all the chat, all the build-up, Murray’s performance during the first two-and-a-half sets had been mysteriously flat. Although he won the opening point with another lovely lob, it soon became clear that he wasn’t operating at full power.
“At the beginning of the match I was apprehensive about playing a long match,” he told the on-court interviewer Rennae Stubbs at the end. “You pace yourself. You sort of do that as a junior. Once I got two sets down, I had to put the after-burners on and managed to come through.
“I had to start striking the ball better, I was hitting it late and tentative, then I went and took too many chances and made too many errors. I didn’t have the balance. I got that towards the end, and was dictating more points with my forehand.”
In his first meeting with a modern tennis legend, Nishioka must have been surprised by Murray’s early lack of urgency. Yet he did not hesitate to take advantage, working the long rallies that he thrives on and occasionally firing in a 90mph forehand up the line. Nishioka may stand only 5ft 7in but he is so tactically acute that you could imagine him being a Go grandmaster on the side.
Why was Murray not fully present? Apart from his apprehension over whether he would last the course, there was also the eerie experience of playing in an empty stadium that would normally hold almost 23,000.
The stands were not completely empty, in fact. Apart from the bizarre digital faces that pop up as part of the US Open’s technological investment, there were numerous famous players dotted around the suites that would normally be occupied by corporate clients with huge bank balances.
Murray lacked his usual intensity in the opening two sets before digging deep into the fifth - GETTY IMAGES
Naomi Osaka was probably there to cheer her Japanese compatriot on, while this year’s Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin showed up. The list of men read like a who’s who of modern tennis: Marin Cilic, Grigor Dimitrov, Kyle Edmund and Alexander Zverev – whom Murray had overcome last week at the Western & Southern Open on these very same courts. When Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas joined the viewing gallery, Murray must have felt an intense desire to impress the next generation.
Plus, of course, Murray’s own backroom staff were living every point with him as usual. He has his own suite on Arthur Ashe Stadium, and he has been accompanied here by his physio Shane Annun, who will no doubt have the devil’s own job patching his body back together after this marathon, as well as his long-suffering coach Jamie Delgado. For most of the match, Delgado looked like a sea-sick sailor navigating a giant thunderstorm.
Murray dropped the first set and then lapsed into a fug of inactivity and confusion. Within a few minutes, he was 4-0 down in the second – and though he comfortably avoided the dreaded 6-0 “bagel”, he was soon down a break in the third as well.
Somehow, though, the old competitive juices began to stir. The feet slotted into position. That backhand of the ages found its mark a few times. The moment when the real Murray arrived was perhaps the one when a Nishioka return pushed him so wide of the court that he slammed his forehand around the net rather than over it. Incredibly, Nishioka was playing so well that he still got the ball back and won the point. But never mind. From Murray’s perspective, when you start playing that sort of shot, you know that your sights are back on the target.
Nothing was easy here. In order to draw level, Murray had to play two full-length sets, which he finally grasped on the tie-break with a fusillade of big serves and aggressive forehands. The same sense of timing saw him produce some monumental winners in the final game of the match.
Afterwards, he told Stubbs that “My toes are the worst part. The big toes on both sides are pretty beat up. But I did alright, physically.
“My body hurts. I need to recover as best as possible. I need an ice bath now. They say that there is one in the locker-room but it’s only for emergencies. For me, this is an emergency. That was by far the most tennis I have played since the 2019 Aussie Open.”
Dan Evans added to the domestic success story at Flushing Meadows by beating Brazil's Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-2 6-1 7-6 (5).
The British number two seized the initiative by fashioning an immediate double-break and proceeded to charge through the opening two sets.
Seyboth Wild, a former US Open junior champion in 2018, rallied in the third set and forced the tie-break but Evans completed victory on his second match point.
"I had to start striking the ball a bit better. I was hitting the ball a bit late, a bit tentatively.
"I went the other way of trying to take too many chances and making errors.
"I didn't have the balance right. At the end I started to get the balance. I had to change a few things for sure."
On how he is feeling now
They have an ice bath in the locker room and they said it was for emergencies.
"For me this is an emergency right now. I'll ask and see if they'll allow me to use the ice bath. If not I'll try to get back to the hotel as quickly as I can,
"That's by far the most tennis I've played since the Aussie Open in 2019."
09:14 PM
Murray reacts
"I'm tired. My toes are the worst part I think. The big toes on both sides are pretty beat up. I did alright physically.
"At the beginning of the match I was apprehensive about playing a long match because I hadn't played one in a while.
"I was sort of pacing myself. Once I got two sets down I had to start putting the after-burners on and managed to get through."
After four hours and 38 minutes, the former British No 1 gets the job done 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4. What a match and what an incredible effort from both men out there!
08:52 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 5-4 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Would you believe it... Murray is a game away from a place in the second round of the US Open. Incredible effort from the Scot who's actually upped his level as this match has gone on.
08:46 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 4-4 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Level again. Nishioka will be relieved to secure that game after some erratic hitting in the middle of it.
08:42 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 4-3 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Good love hold from Murray. He's now just two games away from a remarkable comeback win. Right now, it looks like Murray has the edge, but who knows!
08:39 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 3-3 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Immediate break back from Murray who hits an incredible backhand lob to tie up the game. We're level again!
08:35 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 2-3 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Nishioka breaks! Murray double faults to hand the Japanese 24-year-old the game. All Nishioka needs to do is hold serve for the rest of this set and the match is his. Easier said than done though, especially against a returner like Murray.
08:29 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 2-2 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Nishioka races through his service game and we're all square in every sense... two sets all and two games all in this decider.
08:26 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 2-1 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Great hold of serve again from Murray who looks to be moving well, despite that right toe problem.
08:24 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 1-1 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Nishioka gets himself on the board with an easy hold of his own. Doubt he thought he'd still be out on Arthur Ashe after having so many opportunities to break in the third and fourth sets.
08:20 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 1-0 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Strong service hold from Murray to start this fifth set.
Match duration at the time of tying this... four hours and two minutes! Marathon!
08:14 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 Nishioka
We're all square! Incredible comeback from Murray, who at 4-2 in the tiebreak tweaked his right toe. He takes it 7-4.
Murray's upped his level as this match has gone on, while Nishioka's has dropped. The trainer is currently out treating that toe.
Andy Murray, of Great Britain, reacts after winning the third set against Yoshihito Nishioka
This fifth set is anybody's, but Murray will feel he has the edge.
08:02 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-6 Nishioka
And would you believe it... we're heading into another tiebreak! Murray saved a match point to get us to this point. Can he close it out and take us to a deciding fifth set?
07:55 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 5-6 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Great hold from Nishioka. Feels like a second consecutive tiebreak is imminent... if Murray holds of course.
07:51 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 5-5 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
That felt like a statement hold from Murray to level up at five games apiece. And another new racket for Murray at the start of this 11th game in the fourth.
07:46 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 4-5 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Nishioka in familiar territory in this fourth set. He's a game away from the second round after comfortable hold. How much does Murray have left in the tank?
07:42 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 4-4 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Clean hold of serve for Murray. Can he now apply pressure on the Nishioka serve?
07:40 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 3-4 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
An important hold there for Nishioka. Keeps the pressure on the Murray serve. Nishioka, who looks a lot fresher than Murray, will be hoping to take any break point opportunities in this next game should they come.
07:36 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 3-3 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
First nervy game of this fourth set. Murray saves two break points to level things up. Incredible spirit from the Scot, but Nishioka will be disappointed he did not convert any of those break points.
07:29 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-3 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Both men flying through their respective service as if they've got their minds set on another tiebreaker to decide this fourth set.
07:26 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-2 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Murray says "anything you can do, I can do" and holds to love himself. This is finely poised.
07:23 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 1-2 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Love service hold for Nishioka. Great composure once again. Murray is definitely moving better than he was in the start of this match.
07:21 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 1-1 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Hard to tell who has the momentum in this match. Murray's first serve percentage has improved, but only marginally, now at 51%.
Nishioka is still the favourite, you feel, but if Murray can keep up the pressure in this fourth set, there could be a momentum shift.
07:11 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 0-1 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Good hold for Nishioka who's looking to get some rackets restrung as we get this fourth set underway. What must be going through his mind after the break opportunities he had in that third set?
07:06 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Murray takes the third set! After a topsy-turvy start to this third set, Murray secures it in a tiebreak (7-5). Looked like he was out of it at the start of the third, but the the former champion comes through! Has he got what it takes to go all the way? So much can still happen in this match, one feels.
06:53 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-6 Nishioka
Tiebreak it is! Solid hold from Nishioka who sees Murray break a set a strings for the second time in this match.
06:50 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-5 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Nervy game from Murray but he holds on after saving break points and showing incredible tenacity. Nishioka will be livid having had many opportunities to break Murray in that game. Can he hold here and take us into a tiebreaker?
06:39 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 5-5 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Smart tennis once again from Nishioka. He's done the basics very well in this match. Credit to him for not fading after giving up the break earlier in the set.
06:35 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 5-4 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Big game from Murray! There was a lovely deployment of the serve and volley tactic midway through that game where the Brit showed great hands at the net. Pressure now on Nishioka to hold serve and prolong this third set.
06:28 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 4-4 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Important hold there for Nishioka. Murray was looking like he was ready to pounce on any break point opportunities. To Nishioka's credit, they never came.
06:25 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 4-3 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Nice hold for Murray who sits down at the change of ends leading in a set for the first time in what feels like a long while ago.
06:21 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 3-3 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Murray breaks for only the second time in this match in what was a really odd game from Nishioka. Murray will be looking to hold here to keep up the pressure.
06:15 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 2-3 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
A tricky service hold there for Murray. He's really, really struggled with his first serve percentage today. It's at just 48%. Nishioka is at 66%.
06:12 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 1-3 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Another great service game from Nishioka! Feels as though he has places to be immediately after this match, the way he put the game to bed so emphatically.
06:08 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 1-2 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Murray with a good service game to stay in touch in this third set. Still looks quite confused out there and he's not moving as freely as he was last week at the Western & Southern Open.
06:06 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6, 0-2 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Easy hold from Nishioka to back up the break of serve. Really impressive, and almost seamless, display so far from the quick lefty.
06:04 PM
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 0-1 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Nishioka immediately breaks! He looks like he's on a mission to wrap this up in straight sets.
06:00 PM
Murray* 4-6, 4-6 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan reacts after winning a point against Andy Murray - Danielle Parhizkaran Danielle Parhizkaran/USA TODAY Sports
Nishioka holds and takes the second set by the same scoreline as the first. The theme of this match has been 'consistency' from Nishioka, who after one hour and 39 minutes is a set away from the second round of US Open.
Murray 4-6, 4-5 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
A frustrated Murray holds serve to force Nishioka to serve out this second set. If Murray can break here, things could get very interesting.
05:49 PM
Murray* 4-6, 3-5 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Really good hold from Nishioka. Murray was looking to pounce, but Nishioka held his nerve. The Japanese No 2 is just one game away now from a two sets to love lead.
05:45 PM
Murray 4-6, 3-4 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Andy Murray of the United Kingdom gestures after a point against Yoshihito Nishioka - Danielle Parhizkaran/USA TODAY Sports
Solid service game from Murray to put pressure on Nishioka, who still has a break in the bag in this set.
05:40 PM
Murray* 4-6, 2-4 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Murray breaks!!! Didn't really need to do much to secure that break, most of the errors came off Nishioka's racket. Can Murray hold now and build on this break of serve?
05:36 PM
Murray 4-6, 1-4* Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Murray gets on the board in this second set after a long service hold. Showed nice hands at the net after hitting a cute drop shot that got Nishioka running.
05:26 PM
Murray* 4-6, 0-4 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Nishioka's doing all the right things at the moment. He doesn't look at all fazed by the occasion. If anything, he's thriving in it.
05:22 PM
Murray 4-6, 0-3 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Another break for Nishioka! Murray's really struggling with his serve today. He looks really flat and almost sapped of energy which is all the more apparent inside an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.
05:16 PM
Murray* 4-6, 0-2 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Another easy love service hold for Nishioka. Murray's looking a little confused out there right now.
05:12 PM
Murray 4-6, 0-1 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Scrappy game to open the second set. Both players hitting balls off the frame, but it's the Japanese that secures the early break.
05:07 PM
Murray* 4-6 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Solid game from Nishioka to wrap up the first set. He's causing Murray all sorts of problems with his consistency and movement from the back of the court. Nishioka's hit 12 winners compared to Murray's six. The 2012 champion is still in this... grand slam tennis is best of five sets don't forget.
05:00 PM
Murray 4-5 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Nice easy, love service hold for Murray. He'll be looking to the break Nishioka in the next game to extend this opening set.
04:57 PM
Murray* 3-5 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Really good, all-round tennis from Nishioka who consolidates the break. Pressure now on Murray to serve to stay in this first set.
04:52 PM
Murray 3-4 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Spoke too soon... Nishioka claims the first break! Murray received a time violation warning at 40-15. We're most definitely in for a match here.
04:48 PM
Murray* 3-3 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Nobody's blinked yet. Nishioka holds serve and looks very confident out there. Moving well and hitting cleanly off both wings.
04:42 PM
Murray 3-2 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
A nice love service game there for Murray who's looked comfortable going toe-to-toe with Nishioka from the back of the court.
04:38 PM
Murray* 2-2 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Some great baseline exchanges between these two early on. Murray had break point opportunities and will be disappointed he was unable to convert.
04:31 PM
Murray 2-1 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Murray will be much more pleased with that service game. Far fewer opportunities given to his opponent and much better first serve percentage.
04:28 PM
Murray* 1-1 Nishioka (*denotes next to serve)
Comfortable hold from the Japanese 24-year-old. We're in for a game here on Arthur Ashe.
04:24 PM
Murray 1-0 Nishioka* (*denotes next to serve)
Murray holds after Nishioka takes the Brit to deuce. Murray made good use of one of his challenges in that game.
04:16 PM
Konta-Watson on Court 5
Molly McElwee is live blogging the Battle of the Brits clash between Konta and Watson on Court 5. Follow that here.
04:11 PM
Players are out warming up
Nishioka won the toss and elected to receive.
03:32 PM
Dan Evans seeded 23rd
Dan Evans in action at the Western & Southern Open - Frank Franklin II/ AP
British No 1 Dan Evans is the 23rd seed at this year's US Open and he begins his campaign against 20-year-old Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild. That match is also scheduled to be played on Court 5, after Konta-Watson.
03:17 PM
Battle of the Brits in round one
Johanna Konta and Heather Watson face off for the first time at a grand slam. The British No 1 and 2 are scheduled to play on Court 5 at 5:15pm (UK time). Have a read of Simon Briggs' preview.
02:41 PM
Murray-Nishioka preview
Afternoon all, welcome to day two of the US Open and coverage of Andy Murray’s first-round match against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
This is Murray’s first singles appearance at a grand slam since the 2019 Australian Open. He lost in the first round then to Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in five gruelling sets before taking time away from the tour to have hip resurfacing surgery.
Like Murray, Nishioka, 24, is no stranger to an injury comeback. In 2017 the Japanese No 2 was forced to have surgery after tearing the ACL in his left knee at the Miami Masters.
The Scot has been able to get used to life in the New York bubble after competing in last week’s Western & Southern Open which took place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The 33-year-old former British No 1 picked up wins against Frances Tiafoe and Alexander Zverev before losing to Milos Raonic in the third round.
Those matches were best of three sets and Murray went the distance in two of them. Grand slam tennis is best of five, so it will be interesting to see how the 2012 champion fairs against the consistent left-handed Nishioka inside an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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