Kevin Mitchell’s report from Queen’s Club will follow:
Kyrgios talks after an extraordinary game. “We’re good mates, and I was thinking about it when I was out there,” the Australian says. “It was good to finally get a win against him but I don’t think I can really count that one. From the get-go he came out pretty good and I wasn’t expecting anything less really to be honest. I feel good, I was out for two-and-a-half months, I had my return in Stuttgart and I’m feeling good ahead of Wimbledon.”
Kyrgios beats Murray 6-2, 6-7, 5-7!
Kyrgios pushes the first shot wide – a simple forehand – to gift Murray a 15-0 lead. That’s the fuel required to psyche Kyrgios into game-mode, who promptly sends a punishing forehand return beyond Murray. They jostle to 30-30, with Murray playing a powder-puff backhand eking towards the net and then strikes wide. A third match point is laid on a plate, with Kyrgios obliging to take it this time. How? A painstaking double-fault means Murray ends an impressive comeback performance on a bum-note.
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Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 5-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Every point is being met with a roaring cheer from the bulk of Queen’s; Murray’s arrowing return to level at 30-30 a prime example. They seesaw to deuce, at which point Kyrgios seizes advantage with a monstrous serve. And his 18th ace wraps it up.
Third set: Murray* 6-2, 6-7, 5-5 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray clings in there, surviving two match points, with Kyrgios’s rasping attempt at a forehand winner clattering the top of the net in the first, and getting a little lady luck during the second. Queen’s Club is back on its feet; what a momentous effort by Murray.
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 4-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios races to 40-0 but Murray plays a marvellous sweeping backhand to give him a leg-up. But it’s a galling finish to the game, with the ball jetting up into the sky, and Kyrgios taking his time before sending the ball lashing beyond Murray.
Third set: Murray* 6-2, 6-7, 4-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray breezes through a game in double quicktime just when it seems he is about to come unstuck.
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 3-4 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): It just seems to be getting away from Murray now. But, then again, it’s impossible to predict anything when Kyrgios is involved. Will he go on to close out victory?
Third set: Murray* 6-2, 6-7, 3-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray dips into the reserve tank to fight his way to lead 40-30. But then he returns to the middle of court, essentially into Kyrgios’s baying open arms. From deuce, a faltering Murray continues to fight his corner and a whipped-up crowd help him through; he’s absolutely blowing out there, though this is brilliant training. Meanwhile, in Birmingham, Johanna Konta has lost 6-3, 6-4 to the defending champion Petra Kvitova in the Nature Valley Classic first round.
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Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 2-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): They are seemingly taking it turns to rally around, with Kyrgios upping the ante this time.
Third set: Murray* 6-2, 6-7, 2-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): A puff of the cheeks after a off-colour backhand speaks volumes, with the going a little tough for Murray. That’s followed up by a double-fault. But, with Kyrgios in the driving seat, Murray digs deep to turn things around, with a wayward forehand by the Australian helping the Briton over the line.
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 1-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): The Australian’s monstrous second serve helps him to a 40-30 lead before staving off Murray, who seems to be fighting with his own body here, unsurprisingly aching.
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Third set: Murray* 6-2, 6-7, 1-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Well, Murray rescues an important hold of serve, just as things seemed to be going against him. He lost an early challenge in what looked like being a miserable game. Murray seemed to be becoming agitated, frustrated and, undoubtedly fatigued, after acquiring a niggling back issue – but he pulls through from deuce.
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 0-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): A cunning, disguised backhand helps Kyrgios to 30-0. And after a long time away, it increasingly seems Murray could probably have done with wrapping things up inside two sets.
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Kyrgios wins second set 7-6!
The Australian wins it, 7-4 on the tie-break.
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Second set: Murray 6-2, 6-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): 4-6 ...
Second set: Murray 6-2, 6-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): 4-5 ...
Second set: Murray 6-2, 6-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): 3-4 in the tie-break ... Murray is fighting hard to find a way back in.
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Second set: Murray 6-2, 6-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios steamrollers into a 3-1 tie-break lead, powering home his serves ...
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Second set: Murray 6-2, 6-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios picks out a couple of beautiful shots, the last of which results in a tie-break; a sweeping forehand down the line. When he fancies it, Kyrgios is a wonderful player. Can Murray eke out the win?
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Second set: Murray* 6-2, 6-5 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray leads this second set once more, the just reward for his steely determination to stay in points.
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Second set: Murray 6-2, 5-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Ah.
“As great as it is to see Andy Murray back in action, it’s going to play havoc with my summer schedule,” emails Simon McMahon. “World Cup football, cricket, golf and now tennis too. How many live commentaries can someone follow at once?”
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Second set: Murray* 6-2, 5-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray lets out a huge roar after more brilliant tennis. With the momentum from that previous game still in his system, he grinds through the gears to win four fabulous points in a row to hold serve. He’s grooving now, and has a great chance to wrap this up. Will Kyrgios implode or come up trumps to deny Murray a simple finish?
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Second set: Murray 6-2, 4-4 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): A stunning two-handed cross-court backhand by Murray brings dozens of the Queen’s Club to its feet. But Kyrgios ups the ante a little, powering an unstoppable forehand down the line to get to 40-15. Two sloppy shots by Kyrgios – one straight into the net with the court gaping – allow Murray a route back in. And he takes it with aplomb.
Second set: Murray* 6-2, 3-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray steamrollers to 40-0 and the other – more erratic – side of Kyrgios’s game is exposed once more.
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Second set: Murray 6-2, 2-4 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios exhibits a few more tricks on his way to very nearly throwing away his two-game cushion. Murray almost comes up trumps after fighting back from 40-15 but Kyrgios stays in it and eventually prospers. Will he go on from here to take the set?
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Second set: Murray* 6-2, 2-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Just as it seems Murray is beginning to show a bit of rustiness, with a double-break looming, the Briton powers through, finishing with an ace for an impressive hold.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 1-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): A couple of forehand errors and then a long backhand gifts Kygrios a second straight game.
Second set: Murray* 6-2, 1-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): It’s turning to a bit of a slanging match, this second set. You wonder how much Kyrgios’s moping is eating away at Murray, who has otherwise looked strong and focused. Kyrgios has twice broken Murray but, on court, he looks like a man 6-0 down.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 1-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Murray breaks straight back.
Second set: Murray* 6-2, 0-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios seems to be in one of those destructive, cantankerous moods out there. He’s swaggering round centre court, but this time his quality outweighs Murray’s best efforts. Kyrgios is a fascinating individual, teeming with raw ability but the Australian’s not seemingly always intent on showing it. An old-school sore loser.
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Murray wins first set 6-2!
After Murray returns a thumping serve, Kyrgios doesn’t even bother trying to move to respond. Murray soars into a 40-0 lead before the Australian slams in an ace. But, other than that, once things began to not go his way, Kyrgios has given up the ghost, merely whacking shots as hard as possible. Murray won’t mind, though.
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First set: Murray* 5-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Kyrgios looks a little guilty of tanking out there, disengaged, strutting and shaking his head. As for Murray, he’s back in business and this return could not have gone any better, really.
First set: Murray 4-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): They seesaw at deuce for a few minutes, before Kyrgios loses his cool, slamming the ball into the net in frustration as he surrenders advantage. Back comes Murray, after another Kyrgios tweener, but he cannot seize the game. Kyrgios powers in an awesome ace, before Murray – somehow – returns a dastardly backhand. Revved-up, the Australian slams a 142mph ace straight down the middle but – again – he can’t finish things off. So, Murray fights back one more time and this time takes it.
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First set: Murray* 3-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): A thudding ace sets the tone for Murray, who looks pretty sprightly out on centre court, in his first competitive game since 12 July. Kyrgios’s trick shots are keeping things light too. And, just as the game seems to be getting away from Murray, he digs deep to clinch a third straight service game. He’s missed a couple of ground strokes out there but, otherwise, Murray looks fit, his shots refined, and, so far, he’s firing.
First set: Murray 2-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Level-pegging.
First set: Murray* 2-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray seems to be moving more than OK, shifting cross-court to reach a low backhand. And then more fun and games, courtesy of Kygrios, twice – mid-rally – returning between his legs, much to the explicit delight of the watching spectators. But, after all that, Murray holds serve in a tight game, with a spot of rain the only blemish on centre court. Murray looks momentarily squeamish before getting on with it.
First set: Murray 1-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): A touch of showboating by Kyrgios at 30-15, swivelling 360 degrees to smash home a forehand. And then a roaring ace, all of 140mph, to finish off Murray and pull level.
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First set: Murray* 1-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Murray, a five-time champion at Queen’s, makes a rasping start but a weak forehand and then an awkward attempt at a winner allow the world No 21 to pull level at 30-30. At deuce, Kyrgios plays a devious, dinked drop shot to earn advantage but Murray powers home a forehand return level. And then a hefty ace. It’s been a healthy start.
Murray trudges out on to centre court at Queen’s, given a standing ovation by all in the stands, including Judy, his mother. He replies with a hearty wave. We’ll be thrust into the action shortly, after a quick knockaround with Kyrgios.
Andy Murray’s up next on centre court, then. “The expectations for me are very low right now,” he says. “Nick [Kyrgios] had a good run in Stuttgart and when he’s on it, he’s one of the best players in the world, no doubt about it.”
Djokovic speaks. “It’s great to be back, it’s eight years since I played here last,” he says. “It’s one of the most beautiful tennis courts that we get to play on round the world. England has a long tennis tradition and it’s great to be on the court. I have struggled a little bit in the last year-and-a-half that has forced me to compensate my game and that has taken a little confidence out of me. I’m trying to get it back.” Djokovic, remember, will also play doubles with Stan Wawrinka at Queen’s. It’s quite the lineup in west London this week.
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Djokovic beats Millman 6-2, 6-1!
Two match points but Djokovic requires only the one, sealing victory with a cute forehand down the line. On his return to Queen’s, Djokovic had his opponent shifting across court, almost poking fun at the Australian at times. That was fairly routine but things will get tougher, with Dimitrov awaiting Djokovic. Centre court murmurs with the sound of a job well done for the former world No 1.
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Second set: Millman 2-6, 1-5 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic is within touching distance of wrapping this one up now. Apart from that monstrous fifth game, the Serb has made pretty light work of Millman.
Second set: Millman* 2-6, 1-4 Djokovic (*denotes server): A bit hit and miss from Djokovic, summed up by a wayward forehand down the line. Then a big serve at a big moment helps Millman to deuce, simultaneously avoiding a double-break. But it proves just a minor bump in the road, as Djokovic hangs in there, in by far and away the longest game of this match: 14 minutes long. Millman comes unstuck with a tame effort at the net before – eventually – firing a forehand wide. A mammoth effort, nevertheless.
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Second set: Millman 2-6, 1-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Normal service is resumed, with Djokovic breezing to 40-0, his serve no match for Millman.
Second set: Millman* 2-6, 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes server): Millman raises an arm in celebration, is there any way back in for the Australian?
Second set: Millman 2-6, 0-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server): A swooning volley racks up another service game for the Serb; it’s all very comfortable.
Second set: Millman* 2-6, 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): A hands on hips moment as Djokovic wellies a simple forehand into the net at 15-0. But that frustration is not long-lasting, with the Serb battling back, to deuce and then advantage. And then Millman, the world No 63, hits a his forehand long.
Second set: Millman* 2-6, 0-0 Djokovic (*denotes server): A wheezing security alarm has stopped play ... it’s a strange time for a break-in.
Djokovic wins first set 6-2!
Suddenly, Djokovic finds himself cruising.
First set: Millman* 2-5 Djokovic (*denotes server): Djokovic races to 40-0, and though he’s made to work for it, he has a double-break and more importantly a stranglehold in this opening set.
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First set: Millman 2-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic turns on the style, with a wondrous drop shot on his backhand. That levers him to 30-15, only for Millman to restore parity with a smarting cross-court forehand. It prove insufficient in toppling Djokovic, though, as he powers home the serve.
First set: Millman* 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes server): Millman’s a little wasteful, struggles to put Djokovic away at 40-15 and is punished in vintage style, with a powerful forehand down the line. That earns advantage and Djokovic successfully breaks, showing stamina to win a slogging rally.
First set: Millman 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server): The Australian does brilliant to come out on top of a gruelling rally to take it to 30-0; a gutsy response when seemingly put on the ropes by Djokovic. But his hard work comes undone after a rather pathetic challenge of Djokovic’s first serve and the former world No 1 fights back to take the game. And a little low-key fist pump to boot.
First set: Millman* 2-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): Millman plays a wonderful low backhand get to take 15-0 before his serve helps him to 30-15. Djokovic then plays what looks a routine drawn backhand wide before going painfully long.
First set: Millman 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): A fairly comfortable hold for Djokovic but he’s certainly still easing his way into things.
First set: Millman* 1-0 Djokovic (*denotes server): A flying start by Millman, breezing to 40-0 with no bother at all, finding particular joy off his serve. But Djokovic feels his way in but pays for his slow start, with a weak forehand striking the net and giving the Australian a leg-up and a healthy start.
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Djokovic and Millman are out on court warming up. Back on grass, it will be interesting to see how the three-time Wimbledon champion – who has been bogged down with an elbow injury over the past couple of years – shapes up. “Right now I’m playing with no pain, which is great and refreshing,” he says. “It means I can focus on my game and go back to that confident state of mind.”
A few moments ago, Grigor Dimitrov dispatched Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 on centre court, sealing the game with an ace. Djokovic is next up and, either he or John Millman, the Australian qualifier, will face Dimitrov in the next round. Dan Evans, a wildcard after his one-year ban for a positive drugs test, and Kyle Edmund are also both in action later this afternoon.
“A part of me maybe thought just start again, doing something else,” Evans says. “I had a lot of time to think. I was on my own so much, a lot of time to think about what I had done, not just to myself but a lot of people I had let down.”
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Preamble
Muzza is back, and so is Djokovic, presumably no longer narky, instead fresh after recovering from a disappointing exhibition at the French Open. Andy Murray’s return after a year out with a troublesome hip injury is the big event, though, let’s not kid ourselves. So much so, that Murray says winning will take a backseat in his first competitive match since that defeat to Sam Querrey last July at Wimbledon. In many ways, Queen’s Club provides the perfect backdrop for the chance to build fitness. “I’m not putting pressure on myself to win,” Murray said. “I’m more concerned with how I feel on court.” We’ll soon find out.
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