Andy Murray vs. Joao Sousa: Score, Reaction from 2016 Australian Open
Andy Murray booked his place in the last-16 of the Australian Open on Saturday, as he emerged victorious from a gruelling battle with the industrious Joao Sousa 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Murray was yet to surrender a set in the tournament at the start of Saturdayโs play, but he quickly found himself on the back foot against the Portuguese star.
Sousa was pushing Murray all the way to deuce on his service games and not looking like being broken himself, yet the sixth game brought about the turning point of the match.
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The Scot was very much on the back foot in a Sousa service rally, before he produced a moment of brilliance to reach a drop shot and put it to bed, as Eurosport UK TV's video shows:
"HAVE THAT! Andy Murray demonstrates his speed and artistry with a brilliant shot to deny Joao Sousa #AusOpen https://t.co/gsCUkSBPeM
โ Eurosport UK TV (@EurosportUKTV) January 23, 2016"
It's not often that one point changes the whole context of a set, but Sousa simply didnโt look like the same player after that, as Murray won the next three games without reply.
However, the second set didnโt kick off how the No. 2 seed would have liked, as he was immediately broken by Sousa, who once again looked a formidable force.
Murray grafted hard to work his way back into the set, but his opponent was just too strong on serve and was playing some fabulous tennis.
His groundstrokes were incredibly accurate and forced Murray into positions of no return. In fact, Sousa only faced one break point all set, as he levelled the match at 1-1 thanks to an impressive 6-3 triumph. Eurosport UK TVโs video showed the moment the Portuguese star secured the set:
"It's one set all in our live match on E1, Andy Murray vs Joao Sousa #AusOpen #BackTheBrits https://t.co/xJ7dGJnN9c
โ Eurosport UK TV (@EurosportUKTV) January 23, 2016"
During that second set, reports emerged of Murrayโs father-in-law Nigel Sears collapsing while watching Ana Ivanovic, whom he coaches. USA Today's Nick McCarvel broke the news:
Sears was leaving the player's box due to feeling unwell, yet he could only make it halfway up the stairs.
Fortunately, Murrayโs brother Jamie revealed Sears is now recovering well in the hospital after his scare, via BBC Sport:
Former player and current BBC pundit Andrew Castle was hoping Sears was just dehydrated:
Back on court, Murrayโstill seemingly unaware of the events elsewhereโkicked his game up a notch.
He broke Sousaโs serve in the very first game of the third and barely set a foot out of line for the remainder of the set. Murray has always been excellent at returning strong serves, and the way he was dealing with Sousaโs was nothing short of incredible.
He went on to break again in the fifth game on the way to a 6-2 set victory, per Eurosport UK TV:
"Andy Murray takes the third set 6-2 to put himself back in control of this match #AusOpen #ComeOnAndy https://t.co/b09tZCw07V
โ Eurosport UK TV (@EurosportUKTV) January 23, 2016"
And if you thought Murray was playing well in that set, then the fourth was even better.
Sousa just couldnโt compete with what the Scot was throwing at him, with his lethal backhand doing plenty of damage.
Murray broke in the fifth and seventh games of the set without really breaking sweat, before going on to round off the match with a 6-2 victory.
The Scot did surrender his first set of the tournament, but the way he went about his business after was excellent.
And while Sousa proved just how good he can be, he didnโt have an answer to the second seedโs brilliance.
Murray takes on a home favourite in the last-16, as heโll face the victor of Bernard Tomic and John Millmanโs clash.
Based on this form, though, youโd back Murray to silence the Melbourne crowd and go all the way.
