06 July 2023 , 21:47
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Gary Lineker hailed Andy Murray's fighting spirit as the tennis star refused to give up on his Wimbledon dream.
Murray was the last to play on Centre Court on Thursday night, taking on fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Fifth seed Tsitsipas took the first set on a tie-break, only for the Scot to battle back and level things up by the same method before breaking his opponent early in the third set and taking a two sets to one lead.
The pair began the third set in the knowledge that Wimbledon's 11pm cut-off time meant they were unlikely to reach a resolution - and so it proved, with Murray and Tsitsipas forced to finish their match at a later date. Nevertheless, the efforts of two-time SW19 champion Murray didn't go unnoticed as he gave everything he had.
"Love @andy_murray. A sporting warrior," former England footballer Lineker tweeted. Murray had enjoyed a straight sets victory over Ryan Peniston in the opening round, but Tsitsipas - a two-time Grand Slam finalist - represented a tougher proposition.
The Greek star has never been beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon. He started the stronger, though, and Murray was forced to dig deep as he aimed to avoid a second Grand Slam elimination against the man who previously knocked him out of the 2021 US Open.
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Lineker wasn't the only one to take notice. "Took a while to get going here but he's flying now!" wrote one fan, while another claimed the 36-year-old was "The best individual sports person these shores have ever produced".
What did you make of Andy Murray's performance on Thursday night? Have your say in the comments section
Stefanos Tsitsipas took the first set before Andy Murray battled back (AFP via Getty Images)“Stefanos is a top player,” Murray had said before the meeting. “He has been in the top ten of the world for a while now. He has been to the latter stages of multiple slams. A classy tennis player. It is definitely a step up. I will need to be on my game to beat him.”
Tsitsipas, meanwhile, told reporters about his respect for the man more than a decade his senior. The Greek star was a teenager when Murray won at Wimbledon, but remembers the success well.
"I remember a few years ago when I was kid, witnessing his first Wimbledon title.,” he said. “What he went through in that final and in that last game – whenever I watch that again, it still gives me goosebumps.
“He’s someone that does so much for the sport so obviously I will go in with so much respect for my opponent. That court is almost like his living room – I have never played on Centre Court, the nearest I’ve got is No.1 Court – so I hope I can bring my best game. I know he won’t give up; he’s a fighter.”