Reuters
Melbourne, Jan 29: Iron-clad defence triumphed over all-out attack as second seed Andy Murray overhauled 13th seed Milos Raonic 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 6-2 here Friday to book another Australian Open final against Melbourne Park nemesis Novak Djokovic.
World No. 2 Murray came from behind twice to topple the rangy Canadian, who was troubled by a leg injury and finally capitulated after playing majestically for most of the four-hour and three-minute contest at a flood-lit Rod Laver Arena.
After levelling the match at two sets-all, Murray broke Raonic in the opening game of the decider and the flustered 13th seed smashed his racquet in frustration before promptly crumbling.
Four-time runner-up Murray roared to a 4-0 lead before closing out the match with a dismissive crosscourt winner to reach his fifth final at Melbourne Park and fourth against the Serbian World No. 1 – all of which he has lost.
“I started to get a slightly better read on his serve later on and that was the key,” Murray said in a courtside interview. “He definitely slowed down in the fifth set for sure which was unfortunate for him,” the Scot added of Raonic’s injury. “I obviously got a bit lucky on that but you just try to focus on your side of the court.”
Murray’s trips to the final have all ended in heartbreak, but he will have taken heart from his fighting comeback and ability to defuse Raonic’s overwhelming power game.
