Olympics 2024: Andy Murray Delays Retirement with Impressive Save of 5 Match Points

On Sunday evening, Andy Murray’s career appeared to be nearing its end, but an unforgettable moment of wisdom unfolded at the Paris Olympics. The former World No.1, along with Daniel Evans, staged an incredible comeback for Great Britain by saving five continuous match points at 4/9 in the match Tie-break. They went on to defeat Japan’s Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori with a final score of 2-6, 7-6(5), 11-9.

Murray had preceded declaring that the Olympics would mark the end of his prominent career. For most of the match, Daniel and Nishikori had been in control, leading 6-2, 4-2. However, Murray and Evans fought back with a comeback, turned over the momentum in the Match Tie-break and overcame what appeared to be an insuperable shortage.

Paris Olympics 2024, Day 3: Schedule

The British duo, who had previous disappointment with a first-round exit at Roland Garros earlier this year, will now advance to face either the eighth-seeded French team of Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert or the Belgian pair of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. This victory follows Evan’s hard-fought three-set singles win earlier in the day. 

Murray and Evans had also partnered in Washington last year, reaching quarter-finals, and in the 2017 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, where they made it to Round of 16. 

What Muray said about the win

Murray was excited about the victory and mentioned that he and Evans concentrated on pushing every point towards the end. He glorified Evans for his impressive returns and has never experienced such a double match in his career. 

Murray was also excited to attain this achievement at this Olympics.  

"We just tried to play every point at the end. I thought we were done," Murray said. "Evo came out with some good returns. I had a couple good serves at 6/9 to get us to 8/9. Just unbelievable. I've never played a doubles match like that where I've saved that many consecutive match points. A special place to do it obviously."

While Great Britain celebrated the Murray/Evans victory, the Indian tennis challenge came to an end with Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji exiting in the first round.