Murray’s Wimbledon Journey Ends in Defeat to Tsitsipas; Norrie and Broady Also Fall

In a gripping encounter at Wimbledon 2023, Andy Murray’s quest for another remarkable victory on the 10th anniversary of his 2013 title win came to a halt as he faced a formidable opponent in the form of fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. The British tennis star battled valiantly but ultimately succumbed to Tsitsipas in a five-set thriller, losing 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (2-7), 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4. Murray’s match was postponed due to Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew on Thursday and concluded on Friday.

Prior to Murray’s defeat, British number one Cameron Norrie faced a tough challenge against Christopher Eubanks, resulting in a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-7 (3-7) loss. Similarly, British number five Liam Broady encountered a formidable opponent in the form of Canadian 26th seed Denis Shapovalov, succumbing to a 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 defeat in the third round.

With Murray, Norrie, and Broady exiting the tournament, British fans’ hopes were dampened as their interest in the men’s draw came to an end. The All England Club witnessed a decline in spirits among home supporters. However, British women’s number one Katie Boulter remained the sole British player in the singles, offering a glimmer of hope for the nation.

On the upcoming Saturday, Boulter will strive to achieve a personal milestone by reaching the fourth round for the first time, facing defending champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. Tennis enthusiasts can catch the live coverage of the tournament on TV, through text updates, and on the radio during Wimbledon day five.

Murray’s Attempt Falls Just Short

Andy Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion who secured victories in 2013 and 2016, entered the tournament with optimism, despite a disappointing performance at Queen’s in the lead-up, which prevented him from obtaining a seeding and exposed him to formidable opponents early on. Murray remained confident in his ability to pose challenges to any player on the SW19 grass, even when faced with the prospect of competing against 24-year-old Tsitsipas.

During the indoor contest played under floodlights on Thursday, Murray steadily gained momentum and took the lead shortly before the match was interrupted at 22:39 BST due to Wimbledon’s 23:00 curfew. The pause in the match seemed opportune, occurring at the end of a set and suiting both players.

Murray’s victory over a SW19 opponent ranked as high as Tsitsipas had not occurred since his iconic win over Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final. As play resumed on a sunny summer afternoon, both players continued to showcase their prowess on serve. However, at a crucial moment with the score at 4-4, 15-30, Murray missed an opportunity to challenge a line call that could have altered the course of the match had it been successfully overturned.

Inevitably, the set proceeded to a tie-break, where Tsitsipas demonstrated composure and clinched it with clinical precision. The beginning of the final set witnessed a somber atmosphere among the home fans as Murray faced intense pressure on his serve during the third game. A slice into the net by the Scot, followed by Tsitsipas’s well-judged lob and a subsequent double fault, provided three break opportunities for his opponent. Although Murray managed to save two of them, a forehand into the net resulted in a crucial advantage from which he couldn’t recover.

Tsitsipas’s triumph was a testament to the challenge posed by Murray and the level of play required to advance, as it marked his most impressive victory on the grass-court surface during a tricky season. Murray bid farewell to Centre Court, receiving a standing ovation, and while he acknowledges that opportunities to play there in the future may be scarce, he demonstrated that he is far from finished.

The Overnight Break’s Impact

The impact of the overnight break on the momentum of both players, whether it favored Murray after a painful fall or Tsitsipas after a shift in momentum, was subject to debate. The interruption did provide a moment for romantic reverie.

Murray returned on Friday, seeking to secure his most significant win by ranking since the 2013 final, precisely ten years after the defining moment of his career at the same venue. However, it was the realists who proved correct, as the break seemed to benefit Tsitsipas more.

The 2021 French Open finalist and 2023 Australian Open runner-up showcased another serving masterclass, replicating his impressive performance from the first two sets on Thursday. Tsitsipas managed to avoid facing a break point as he turned the tables on Murray.

When asked about the 18-hour gap, Tsitsipas commented, “It did not help me that much. You are dealing with a lot of things. You are dealing with Andy Murray at the other side of the net. He can make it a marathon, and I had to work extra hard. My legs are sore – he made me run left and right, up and down for how many hours.”

For live scores, results, and the order of play, viewers can tune into BBC TV, access iPlayer and online coverage, or listen to updates on the radio. Tennis enthusiasts can also receive alerts with the latest news directly on their phones.

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More about Wimbledon results

• Wimbledon Official Website
• BBC Sport – Wimbledon
• Andy Murray Profile on ATP
• Stefanos Tsitsipas Profile on ATP
• Cameron Norrie Profile on ATP
• Liam Broady Profile on ATP