Murray victorious in Antwerp
By Phil Messenger for MurraysWorld.com on October 20, 2019, 09:16 pm
Andy Murray beat Stan Wawrinka 3-6 6-4 6-4 in the final of the European Open today to record his first singles title since 2017.
This victory was notable not just because of the quality of the tennis, but because it marks the end of a 10 month period which began with Murray retiring from the sport all together. The Brit tearfully announced his exit after a first round defeat at the Australian open, citing a hip so badly damaged it left him unable to enjoy normal day to day activities, let alone compete at the top.
One hip resurfacing operation and months of gutsy rehab later and Murray is close to his best.
Wawrink has suffered his own share of injury troubles, and started the match like a man possessed. The Swiss crashed winners from all parts of the court and, despite impressive defence from Murray, deservedly won the set.
The Swiss was soon a set and a break up after dismantling a Murray service game with four clean winners, and at 6-4, 3-1 up with two break points looked on course to close out victory.
Murray had other ideas. The Brit upped his level, won seven points in a row and an improbable comeback to cap the most improbable comeback suddenly looked possible.
In the third set both players displayed understandable signs of nerves. Four consecutive breaks of serve ended when Murray saved two break points to edge 5-4 up. Wawrinka looked safe at 40-15, but a misjudged volley let Murray back in. The Scot sealed his first match point when Wawrinka hit a forehand wide.
Murray will now take some time off to enjoy the arrival of his third child before - presumably - appearing at the 2020 Australian Open.
This victory was notable not just because of the quality of the tennis, but because it marks the end of a 10 month period which began with Murray retiring from the sport all together. The Brit tearfully announced his exit after a first round defeat at the Australian open, citing a hip so badly damaged it left him unable to enjoy normal day to day activities, let alone compete at the top.
One hip resurfacing operation and months of gutsy rehab later and Murray is close to his best.
Wawrink has suffered his own share of injury troubles, and started the match like a man possessed. The Swiss crashed winners from all parts of the court and, despite impressive defence from Murray, deservedly won the set.
The Swiss was soon a set and a break up after dismantling a Murray service game with four clean winners, and at 6-4, 3-1 up with two break points looked on course to close out victory.
Murray had other ideas. The Brit upped his level, won seven points in a row and an improbable comeback to cap the most improbable comeback suddenly looked possible.
In the third set both players displayed understandable signs of nerves. Four consecutive breaks of serve ended when Murray saved two break points to edge 5-4 up. Wawrinka looked safe at 40-15, but a misjudged volley let Murray back in. The Scot sealed his first match point when Wawrinka hit a forehand wide.
Murray will now take some time off to enjoy the arrival of his third child before - presumably - appearing at the 2020 Australian Open.
“It means a lot,” Murray said. “The last few years have been extremely difficult. Me and Stan have had a lot of injury problems in the last couple of years. Amazing to be back playing against him in a final like that."
“I think it was a great match. Stan was playing unbelievable – hitting winners from all over the court. I just managed to hang in a bit at the end of the second set and the third set was extremely close again. Amazing. I didn’t expect to be in this position at all so I’m very happy.”
add comment | 19 comments
Thank you, boogers. I can still hardly believe it.
October 20, 2019, 10:00 pm
By Tamaragl
By Tamaragl
Excellent report Phil, for which thanks. It was one of these matches both players deserved to win, and for the same reasons, but I'm very pleased for Andy that it finally went his way, particularly as in January very few thought he would ever be seen on court again let alone in an ATP Tour final and going on to lift the trophy. Thought Stan was very gracious in defeat though.
Hopefully we might see Andy in Madrid at the Davis Cup finals which run from 18-24 November, failing which at the ATP Cup in Sydney in January.
Meanwhile hope all goes well with the birth of his and Kim's third child.
Hopefully we might see Andy in Madrid at the Davis Cup finals which run from 18-24 November, failing which at the ATP Cup in Sydney in January.
Meanwhile hope all goes well with the birth of his and Kim's third child.
October 20, 2019, 10:10 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
Mentally very strong, what a special victory for Andy and his team. It's a very inspirational journey for me.
October 20, 2019, 10:52 pm
By flowerpower
By flowerpower
Excellent report Phil, for which thanks. It was one of these matches both players deserved to win, and for the same reasons, but I'm very pleased for Andy that it finally went his way, particularly as in January very few thought he would ever be seen on court again let alone in an ATP Tour final and going on to lift the trophy. Thought Stan was very gracious in defeat though.
Hopefully we might see Andy in Madrid at the Davis Cup finals which run from 18-24 November, failing which at the ATP Cup in Sydney in January.
Meanwhile hope all goes well with the birth of his and Kim's third child.
Hopefully we might see Andy in Madrid at the Davis Cup finals which run from 18-24 November, failing which at the ATP Cup in Sydney in January.
Meanwhile hope all goes well with the birth of his and Kim's third child.
Well said Aileen.
I was truly amazed by that match. How did Andy manage to get all those shots from Stan back? I said that Andy would 'go for it' to win and I think you saw him do that. He just focused on what he can do and did it. Fitness and movement concerns were forgotten. Great to see him back playing so well. Thank you Kim for making him do it.
October 20, 2019, 11:01 pm
By marathonarthur
By marathonarthur
Thank you Kim for making him do it.
And thank you too baby Murray for not deciding to arrive early!
October 21, 2019, 12:30 am
By Aileen
By Aileen
Thanks Phil, it was a great week for Andy and a great final for him too, and for everyone 
I'm looking forward to January and to the AO
Wishing Andy and all his family a Happy Christmas, quite soon now 
I'm looking forward to January and to the AO
Wishing Andy and all his family a Happy Christmas, quite soon now
October 21, 2019, 05:51 am
By moonglow
By moonglow
What a match! What a win!
Thanks for report boogers.
October 21, 2019, 07:28 am
By blueberryhill
By blueberryhill
Thanks boogers. I throughly enjoy the match, which sometime was from behind the sofa. So very happy for Andy getting the win, he so deserves this reward with all his patience and re-hab work. 
October 21, 2019, 08:47 am
By ChrisMac
By ChrisMac
And thank you too baby Murray for not deciding to arrive early!
I liked the post match speech on how he needed to be back out there playing otherwise his family size might get out of control (or words to that effect)!
October 21, 2019, 08:55 am
By marathonarthur
By marathonarthur
I am so proud of being a fan of AndyMurray‘s over more than a decade. Yesterday was such a moment when I was once again so touched by his tremendous efforts, his never-say-die attitude ( although I already started to comfort myself with being happy that he reached the final), his sympathizing words for Stan and his humour in the interview. Certainly a lot of us are still under the impression of his tearful press-conference at the AO this year thinking that we might never see Andy Murray fight again. Then he decided to play doubles at Queens, a news which surprised me. And he even won the tournament. Then his first singles matches and I was not sure if his return was a good idea. Gasquet gave him a hard time with his drop shots, a player named Viola, who I did not know, defeated him. I was not convinced he would make it. And two months later he stands there, lifting a trophy, having snatched it out of Stan‘s hand. (Andy needs it more than him.) Now I am hoping for more MurrayMagicMoments, which I have missed so much.
Thanks for the great report of an unforgettable match.
Thanks for the great report of an unforgettable match.
October 21, 2019, 03:00 pm
By counter_ puncher
By counter_ puncher
I liked the post match speech on how he needed to be back out there playing otherwise his family size might get out of control (or words to that effect)!
Not quite MA because what he actually said was that with three children under the age of four he needed to get back on the road again!
October 21, 2019, 07:00 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
Not quite MA because what he actually said was that with three children under the age of four he needed to get back on the road again!
I've been trying to decide if he meant that when he was at home all the time and not playing tennis that they were having sex too often and thereby creating too many babies...
October 21, 2019, 07:03 pm
By Tamaragl
By Tamaragl
I've been trying to decide if he meant that when he was at home all the time and not playing tennis that they were having sex too often and thereby creating too many babies...
I admit that did cross my mind briefly, but in these days with so many choices of contraceptives around then they could have sex as often as they liked without Kim getting pregnant, so I took it that he needed to start bringing in some more money - not that he's exactly short of it!
October 21, 2019, 07:14 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
What's happened on this thread?
October 21, 2019, 07:22 pm
By althusser
By althusser
What's happened on this thread?
lol - Family planning?
October 21, 2019, 08:01 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
I've been trying to decide if he meant that when he was at home all the time and not playing tennis that they were having sex too often and thereby creating too many babies...
I took it as that and an example of his wicked sense of humour! 
What's happened on this thread?
Andy started it 
October 21, 2019, 09:10 pm
By blueberryhill
By blueberryhill
Wonderful news!
October 23, 2019, 07:03 am
By adb..OH
By adb..OH
I took it as that and an example of his wicked sense of humour!
It surely was! I thought that indicative that he was back in a good space to play well again. His sense of humour was important.
October 23, 2019, 07:55 pm
By marathonarthur
By marathonarthur
Great top perfomance.This is unbelievable Andy you are ready for 2020. .Chance to win Wimbledon and the next Gold medal in Tokyo and more . I wish all all all the best for 2020.
November 28, 2019, 11:08 am
By tom007
By tom007