Andy Murray tonight delighted scores of fans at Wimbledon with a logic-defying four-hour comeback win.
The three-time Grand Slam winner secured his victory in the Men’s Singles Second Round against German opponent Oscar Otte, making an astonishing recovery to take three sets following a tense and tumultuous fight.
It was the father-of-three’s second win after his return to Centre Court on Monday, when Murray knocked Georgian tennis pro Nikoloz Basilashvili out of Wimbledon in one of the most extraordinary performances of his career.
Today’s clash began well for Murray, who took the first set 6-3 with apparent ease on his home turf.
But the tables soon turned, with a determined Otte edging suddenly ahead and snatching the second and third sets from the seething former Grand Slam champion, both at 6-4.
In a nail-biting fourth set, Murray fell down in pain in a tense moment following years of groin and hip injury issues which saw him take a four-year break from Wimbledon. He underwent surgery to have a metal rod fitted in 2019.
The set was later paused so the open roof of the Centre Court could be closed as the night drew in.
And the 17-minute break marked a turning point for Murray, who pushed ahead to secure the fourth point 6-4 to the delight of roaring crowds who erupted into a championship-style winning cheer.
Britons were left on the edge of their seats until the very end as the home favourite battled hard to overcome his stubborn opponent. He eventually secured his victory, knocking Otte out of the championship.
Murray made his long-awaited return to Wimbledon on Monday following a four-year break due to lengthy injury problems, and tonight tested his courage and stamina in a tough clash that lasted four hours.
His wife Kim Sears cheered him on from courtside during the dramatic clash tonight, the mother-of-three jumping to her feet and appearing deep in thought as her husband fought for his victory in a stressful final set.
Supporters could be heard shouting ‘Come on Andy!’ and ‘We love you Andy!’ as the lengthy clash reached its end, deafening screams erupting from the Wimbledon faithful when he finally secured his win.
Britain’s Andy Murray reacts during his second round match against Germany’s Oscar Otte at Wimbledon today
Andy Murray roars to the crowd after winning a game against Oscar Otte in the second round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court on day three of Wimbledon
Kim Sears, wife of Murray, in the stands during his second round match against Germany’s Oscar Otte
Andy Murray of Britain in action against Oscar Otte of Germany during their second round match at the Wimbledon Championships 2021
Germany’s Oscar Otte plays Andy Murray during the men’s singles second round match on day three of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London
Murray had previously said he was resigned to not having his wife and four children – Sophia, five, Edie, three, Teddie, one, and a third daughter, born in March – watching him due to the coronavirus restrictions.
But Kim was able to attend today and could be seen clapping from the stands in a floral dress and sunglasses.
The tense clash came after tennis pros today took a tumble while playing at Wimbledon for a second day after heavy rain led to slippery grass in the wettest start to the grand slam in ‘almost a decade’.
Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori, John Isner and Bianca Andreescu slipped while playing on grasscourts during the legendary tournament – a day after US tennis superstar Serena Williams was forced to retire when she fell over on Centre Court and appeared to hurt her ankle.
Murray made his long-awaited return to Wimbledon on Monday after a four-year break due to lengthy injury problems
Andy Murray reacts during his Gentlemen’s Singles second round match against Oscar Otte on centre court on day three of Wimbledon
The Scot won the first set 6-3 despite a series of difficult serves from German Otte, who remained determined as the pair moved into a tense second round in the Men’s Singles Second Round tonight
Murray held an early lead, but Otte suddenly edged ahead and later snatched the second set from the seething former Grand Slam champion 6-4
Murray had previously said he was resigned to not having his wife (above) and four children – Sophia, five, Edie, three, Teddie, one, and a third daughter, born in March – watching him due to the coronavirus restrictions
But Kim was able to attend today and could be seen clapping from the stands in a floral dress and sunglasses
Murray and Coco Gauff were among those to comment on the surface yesterday, while eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer said he had previously found the surface to be more slippery when the stadium roof was shut due to a build up of humidity.
A Wimbledon spokesman has defended itself against criticism of its grass, claiming the club was satisfied with the quality of the surface and that it had been the wettest start to a tournament ‘in almost a decade’.
Mr Federer said this year’s problems are not new. ‘Those first two matches are always extremely difficult. But it’s always been like this,’ he said. ‘I feel for a lot of players, it’s super-key to get through those first two rounds because the grass is more slippery, it is more soft.
The third set at Centre Court finished with another 6-4 victory for Otte as the threat of rain loomed above in London
The tense clash came after tennis pros today took a tumble while playing at Wimbledon for a second day after heavy rain led to slippery grass in the wettest start to the grand slam in ‘almost a decade’
Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori, John Isner and Bianca Andreescu slipped while playing on grasscourts during the legendary tournament – a day after US tennis superstar Serena Williams was forced to retire
A Wimbledon spokesman has defended itself against criticism of its grass, claiming the club was satisfied with the quality of the surface and that it had been the wettest start to a tournament ‘in almost a decade’
‘As the tournament progresses, it usually gets harder and easier to move on.’
In 2013, several players slipped on one day, including Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, who was left injured. The day was dubbed ‘Wacky Wednesday’ by newspapers.
Mr Federer said he believed the Centre Court roof made the grass more slippy, saying: ‘I do feel it feels a tad more slippery maybe under the roof.
‘I don’t know if it’s just a gut feeling. You do have to move very, very carefully out there. If you push too hard in the wrong moments, you do go down.
Analysing why this may be the case, Joseph Page of Joe’s Lawn Care told MailOnline: ‘Moisture is more likely to build up in an enclosed space, particularly with fans and players in there.
Murray said in a tweet he had found Centre Court slippery when he played on Monday. Pictured: Murray arriving today
He posted after Miss Williams retired: ‘Brutal for @serenawilliams but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Not easy to move out there’
‘It’s a bit like being inside a greenhouse. However, there will be ventilation and air con in there so I couldn’t comment on the technicalities of this particular situation.
‘The groundsmen will be assessing everything by the hour and looking after things so well.
‘You need a higher level of moisture in the turf to keep it green in the first place, so it’s always a play off between keeping the surface moist but also dry enough so the ball can bounce.’
Murray said in a tweet he had found Centre Court slippery when he played on Monday.
He posted after Miss Williams retired: ‘Brutal for @serenawilliams but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Not easy to move out there.’
Mr Federer, 39, echoed his words saying that ‘you do have to move very, very carefully out there’.
He added: ‘I do feel it feels a tad more slippery maybe under the roof. I don’t know if it’s just a gut feeling. If you push too hard in the wrong moments, you do go down.’