19 January 2023 , 18:12
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Andy Murray has been labelled 'super human' following his epic second round win against Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open.
In a match for the ages, the Scot looked down and out when he trailed by two sets and a break, only to launch arguably the best comeback of his storybook career. He broke back via an incredible 15-shot rally, and although the home favourite later served for the match, again Murray prevailed when it mattered before winning the set on a tie-break.
He duly levelled matters in the next set and then at 5-5 in the decider, with the match nearing six hours long and the clock striking 4am down under, the Scot decisively broke. He then served out the match to record an unforgettable victory, prompting hoards of tributes on social media.
Piers Morgan led the tributes to the Scot, tweeting: "Brilliant. Congrats old man" while boxing legend Carl Froch also honoured his "awesome performance".
BBC's Lewis Coombes tweeted: "There are no more words to say about @andy_murray. Just incredible. Super human," while fan @Brian_McLachlan added: "I am actually out of words to describe Andy Murray. Maybe when they gave him a new hip they made him a cyborg? It’s not even funny."
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Yasmin Syed, a tennis reporter for the Daily Express, had posted mid-match: "I don't know if I will ever love anything or anyone as much as Andy Murray loves tennis because he has done it all and has nothing left to prove. But it's 3:22am in Melbourne, his match just hit five hours and he's fighting as hard as ever to play the sport he loves."
Former Polish professional player Aga Radwanska echoed the sentiments of many by writing: "Annnndyyyyyyy!!!!! What a warrior!! What a match," and Ceri Coleman, of BBC Sport Wales, said: "Made of steel. Built of granite. Take a bow Andy Murray."
Murray gestures to the crowd during the clash (Twitter@)The Tennis TV account focussed on the groundbreaking marker that the 35-year-old's win had set, informing fans with: "Most comeback wins from two sets down: 11 - Andy Murray, 10 - Roger Federer, 10 - Boris Becker 10 - Aaron Krickstein. WARRIOR"
In his post-match interview, an exhausted Murray admitted: "I don't know how I managed to get through it. I did start playing better as the match went on. And yeah, I have a big heart."
Despite him defeating an Australian, the three-time Grand Slam winner received huge cheers as he spoke at the Margaret Court Arena, before delivering the most pivotal line of all: "I think it's time that we all went to bed now," he joked.