Vienna Open: Andy Murray overcomes Hubert Hurkacz in 160-minute clash

Andy Murray recorded his biggest win of the season so far by defeating world number 10 Hubert Hurkacz at the Vienna Open.

The 34-year-old, who will not be part of Great Britain’s efforts to win the Davis Cup next month, won a 160-minute match in the Austrian capital.

Murray has lost to a number of the world’s top 10 since the US Open - Hurkacz being one last month in Metz - but after a good start in Vienna he ended up becoming embroiled in a two-hour-40-minute battle with the Polish fifth seed.

Murray blamed a poor attitude for not getting beyond the last 16 in the European Open in Antwerp last week but there was no questioning his commitment on his return to the court.

The first eight games went with serve before the former British number one broke to allow him to take the set 6-4.

© Getty Images AndyMurray25110A

With both players holding their serve in the second it went to a tie-break, which Hurkacz won 8-6 thanks to two unforced errors.

Murray enjoyed two service breaks in the deciding set, saving two break points in the ninth game to win 6-4 6-7 (6) 6-3.

“It was a good match that could have gone either way,” said Murray (via the ATP’s official website).

“I was disappointed to drop serve in the opening game of the third, but thankfully I was able to get the break back in the next game and from there I probably deserved to get over the line. It was a good win in tough circumstances.

“My movement has been getting a little better with each match.

“A lot of my movement is about anticipation and when you’re not playing many matches - like I haven’t been in recent years - you don’t read the play quite as well. Now I’m starting to see the ball a little earlier and starting to react a little quicker, which means I will start to chase more balls down.” 

Reference: Evening Standard: Jonathan Gorrie