Fourth series: Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 1-2 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): "Bloody hell, Andy, why do not you come here?" Murray says after making up for a 30-all backhand. Just one more of those conversations he likes to have in public. The stoic Baptist Agut looks at his eccentric adversary in an inquisitive way and continues with more uncompromising sneakers.
"After the departure of Zurich, where the normally excellent Swiss national broadcaster is disappointingly showing the game of Roger Federer instead of Murray," says James Ferguson. "Fortunately, no one was in my office to hear my cry of enthusiasm and pride when Andy got the third set! Could a great Scottish heart be enough for a little more magic? If Andy wins this match, I'll give up Swiss chocolate for the rest of 2019. "
Fourth series: Murray * 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 1-1 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Murray loses the first point. He wins the next four. Just give him the title now. He earned it.
Fourth series: Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 0-1 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Bautista Agut returns to work, holding comfortably. As dramatic as it was the end of the third set, it's still hard to see Murray doing it. He certainly has no resistance to it.
Andy Murray wins the third set; Roberto Bautista Agut takes 6-4, 6-4, 6-7!
Third set tie-break: Murray 7-5 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Murray serves a lot. Bautista Agut puts his return on the air and Murray, limping and looking like he runs seven marathons at the weekend, shows you how to hit a volley drive! Ha There is no limit to your depths of absurdity. In a room we go!
Third set tie-break: Murray 6-4 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Amazing! Murray makes Baptist Agut play another shot and the Spanish loses the courage by breaking an easy volley drive long way! Murray has two set points!
Third set tie-break: Murray * 5-4 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Bautista Agut turns off the mini-break, running around a forehand to catch Murray on the line.
Third set tie-break: Murray * 5-3 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Or not. Murray produces another ace, his 14th so far. Bautista Agut defies to no avail.
Third set tie-break: Murray 4-3 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Murray's doubled again when Bautista Agut finished a rally with a drop shot. He may be running out of juice.
Third set tie-break: Murray 4-2 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Murray challenges a serve Baptist Agut. She cut the line. Murray has a challenge left.
Third set tie-break: Murray * 4-1 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Baptist Agut makes a long forehand at the end of a tense rally. Murray bent at the end, squealing away.
Third set: Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-6 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Murray returns brilliantly to make 0-15. Bautista Agut, annoyed at how this is on his way, hits a brutal forehand for 15-all. Another makes 30-15. Safe Spanish. Tie-break. How much did Murray leave?
Third set: Murray * 4-6, 4-6, 6-5 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Murray, refusing to go silent, slams a pair of aces to hold again. He won a tie-break at least.
Third set: Murray 4-6, 4-6, 5-5 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Out of nowhere, in a totally strange twist, Bautista Agut is serving to stay on set. Against, remember, a man who is going to retire soon. At 15-0, Murray wins another mini-duel. More fist pumping. The fans are loving it. "You can do this, Andy!" Someone shouts. The game goes to 30-all. Bautista Agut manages to take a volley by 40-30. Forces Murray deuce. He jumps around a bit because it's absurd, and he has a break point when Baptist Agut hits the front. Bautista Agut makes a first serve. Then, a serve in the middle is called, only for the referee to correct the call. Biting his hand, Murray defies without success and Bautista Agut receives his first serve. They go. A long rally follows. Tension builds. It's Murray classic, but he can not make the breakthrough and nets a forehand. Judy nods, smiles gently, and says, "Come on." Mom knows what's best. However, Bautista Agut grabs himself. "One last time, Jacob," says Simon McMahon. "COME ANDY !!!!!"
Anxiety of biting the fists photo: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Murray laments missed chance of winning the set Photograph: Lucy Nicholson / Reuters
Third set: Murray * 4-6, 4-6, 5-4 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): The first two points are shared. Baptist Agut wants to do that. With Murray stuck to the spot, the Spaniard drives a backhand by 15-30. This is a tight battle at the moment, however, and Murray serves well for 30-all. He's digging deep. He makes a forehand, delivering a break point, but he saves him with an impressive backhand for the deuce. An ace increases your mood. Another has him jumping in the air, letting everything loose, the emotion coming out of him as he roars and clenches his fists. It's like he just won Wimbledon! This is how much it means to him. Murray just will not give up. He does not know how to give up. It's not in his DNA.
Third set: Murray 4-6, 4-6, 4-4 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Bautista Agut holds easily. "Whenever I watch tennis, most of my attention has been on Federer and Nadal," says Abhijato Sensarma. "However, without realizing it, I've always bothered to check your progress through a tournament whenever I have the opportunity. He has not been a favorite for many because of the even more dominant legends he played. However, he always remained deep in the minds of all. There is something inexplicably beautiful in his game when he is fit.
"His first win at Wimbledon was perhaps his greatest achievement and he deserved every bit of it, along with all the other compliments he earned in his life. The game is apparently escaping now. It is painful to observe even the most causal of viewers when you know the emotional context that dominates this game. Perhaps, he has told himself to take advantage of what could be his last professional game – and we must deceive him. Let's wait for his last miracle game, but we know he's done enough not to ask for more of him. No matter what happens today, live, Mr. Murray!
Third set: Murray * 4-6, 4-6, 4-3 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Murray holds 15, cutting an ace to keep it going. Are you absolutely sure you want to bet against him?!
Third set: Murray 4-6, 4-6, 3-3 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Baptist Agut restores some request by holding comfortably. Elsewhere, defending champion women's champion Caroline Wozniacki defeated Alyson van Uytvanck at the Rod Laver Arena, where he awaits the arrival of Roger Federer and Denis Istomin.
Third set: Murray * 4-6, 4-6, 3-2 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): "Let's go!" Murray shouts as he moves into a 40-0 lead. If this is the end, he decided he could go out fighting. He can also swing a little, hit a few strokes, have fun, give a crowd of support to remember him. He holds it with an ace, leaves it for more screams in the bleachers, and returns to his chair for a well-deserved rest.
Third set: Murray 4-6, 4-6, 2-2 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): From nowhere, Murray recovers from 30-0 to win three points in a row and win a break point! Afflicted by the crowd, the wounded hero takes his chance by surprising Bautista Agut with a drop shot. Bautista Agut responds with a mink but the space is there for Murray to poke at the line and break for the first time! You need to love him. Murray is shaking the crowd and Judy is standing, with a big smile on her face as she applauds her ridiculous son. How does he find the will?
Murray reacts after his first taste of success in this match. Photo: Andy Brownbill / AP
Third set: Murray * 4-6, 4-6, 1-2 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): A drop shot of Bautista Agut takes Murray forward, allowing the Spaniard to send a forehand to his opponent stranded 0-15. Murray is more and more desperate. The logo is 0-30. The error is accumulating. Murray tries a drop shot, but Bautista Agut is very fast and he gains three break points with a volley of granite. Murray's serve crumbles again. There is a breath of tragedy about it now. As much as Murray is trying, there is little pleasure in seeing a champion fight this way.
Murray does not shoot Photo: Edgar Su / Reuters
Murray looks condemned as pause Agut photo: Edgar Su / Reuters
Third set: Murray * 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 Bautista Agut (* denotes server): Murray has returned from two sets on nine occasions. This would be a good time to round up to 10, would not it? He starts this set with a deft volley. He responds to an incredible lob of Baptist Agut by 15-all, moving to 40-30. He holds it when the Spaniard sends a wide forehand. It's on!
Roberto Bautista Agut wins the second set; he leads 6-4, 6-4!
A forehand by Baptista Agut is 15-0. Coming soon is 30-0. It's all a bit tragic. Bautista Agut does not do anything special, but he really does not need to be inspired to beat a man who is basically playing in one leg. This limping opponent has a lot of heart, and somehow it creeps back to 30-all. However, Bautista Agut quickly wins a set point and converts it by hitting a serve passed by Murray, who is heading for a first round exit.
Murray reacts with discouragement Photo: Scott Barbour / Getty Images
Second set: Murray * 4-6, 4-5 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Serving to stay on set, Murray makes himself feel better with a 30-15 drop. Another powerful service makes it 40-15. He holds it.
Second set: Murray 4-6, 3-5 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): Bautista Agut continues to give nothing in the service. Murray will serve to stay on set.
Second set: Murray * 4-6, 3-4 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Ignoring the pain and tiredness that accumulate in his bruised body, Murray somehow summons the urge to go from 0-15 to 40-15, a beautiful backhand in the line of a reminder of better times. In the bleachers, her mother seems worried about her son. But Judy will be pleased to see him celebrate the 30th conquest. If nothing else, Murray can be pleased with himself for refusing to go there. He is clearly overcome, but his effort is an example for others to follow.
Second set: Murray 4-6, 2-4 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): As I get distracted by my editors walking to talk about West Ham's victory over Arsenal on Saturday, Bautista Agut consolidates the break easily.
Second set: Murray * 4-6, 2-3 Baptist Agut (* denotes server): Bautista Agut is calm, focused and lurking as he approaches 0 to 30, with Murray looking increasingly stiff. These are troubling moments for Murray and with a tired backhand in 15-30 Baptist Agut gifts two breaking points. The first is canceled with an ace. You're scared of Murray in protracted duels, though. He tries a breakpoint, but has a lot of air, allowing Bautista Agut to run forward and choose Murray on the net. There is the range. The end is near. This is a decent effort from Murray, given the circumstances, but you are beginning to see why he does not have much time left.
Second set: Murray 4-6, 2-2 Baptist Agut * (* denotes server): The comfortable wait for Baptist Agut flashes by. "Greetings from a couch loaded into Strathaven as me and the kids watch what seems increasingly likely to be the last Andy Murray game," says James McNulty. "My youngest son (9) has just stated that he can no longer watch it & # 39; and left for school. But was Murray always difficult to watch? Is not this – perhaps only among the top ranks of British sportsmen – what makes him so attractive? The hip injury obviously makes a critical difference – and this time he will not be able to get rid of it. But over the years, the ebb and flow of emotion on and off the court is what keeps us watching – until the end. Honest, grumpy, tenacious, fragile, and uncompromisingly scottish. We'll miss him.
