By Bill Roumeliotis.
Thanasi Kokkinakis was defeated by Britains, Andy Murray, in Australian Open’s second-latest marathon night at Melbourne Park finishing in the early hours this morning at 4:05am.
As Kokkinakis stepped up to the baseline with a two-set lead to serve one of the best performances of his life, he would have been confident against most players in the world.
From the brink of defeat, Murray somehow pulled off one of the greatest feats of his exceptional career.
Murray never threw in the towel, even when his opponent was a few points away from victory. In the end he was vindicated, forcing the Greek-Australian to bow to Sir’s majesty.
Recovering from a two-set deficit against Kokkinakis in his second consecutive five-set match—and playing with a metal hip—to win 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 7-5 in a five hour 45 minute epic that lasted until the early hours of this morning.
It is the second latest finish in the history of tennis at tour level and the longest match of Murray’s 18-year career, according to ABC News.
The reward for Murray’s victory is a return to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in five years.
