Murray enters third round after a five-setter
Murray enters third round after a five-setter
London: Home favourite Andy Murray, who had been practicing with Roger Federer ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, won a marathon five-setter 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 against German Oscar Otte to reach the third round here.
Murray, 34, was granted a wild card for this year's Wimbledon as the three-time Grand Slam champion had been suffering setbacks while trying to return to the tour after hip surgeries.
The former world No. 1 spent three-and-a-half hours to see off 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round on Monday and needed to fight 20 minutes longer on Wednesday against Otte, who played at the grass-court Grand Slam for the first time, Xinhua reports.
Murray will lock horns with Canadian 10th seed Denis Shapovalov as the 22-year-old advanced to the third round at Wimbledon for the first time following a walkover from Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar.
Earlier, men's singles reigning champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round by beating Kevin Anderson from South Africa 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Women's singles second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus came from one set down to defeat home player Katie Boulter 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The 41-year-old Venus Williams was ousted by Tunisian Ons Jabeur 5-7, 0-6 in straight sets in the second round. Her 39-year-old sister Serena Williams had to retire midway after injuring her leg in Tuesday's first-round match.