Andy Murray reflects on hard-fought Nikoloz Basilashvili win

• Tennis News

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray described his clash against Nikoloz Basilashvili as "unbelievably tough." Murray, who received a wildcard into Sydney, recovered from a set down to beat world No. 23 Basilashvili 6-7 (4) 7-6 (3) 6-3.

“It was an unbelievably tough match,” Murray said in his on-court interview, per the ATP website. “He is hitting the ball consistently bigger than anyone on the Tour. I was having to do a lot of defending and running but my legs stood up well and at the end I served really well in the last set”.

Murray figured out he needed to serve a bit bigger because Basilashvili was putting lots of pressure during the rallies. “I got a lot of free points on my serve,” Murray said. “When we were in the rallies, it was more on his terms, so I tried to serve a little bit bigger and thankfully they went in.

When he was serving, I tried to take time away from him and rush him and I hit some better returns”.

Murray claimed a comeback win

Murray was serving for the first set in the ninth game but Basilashvili broke back to reduce the deficit to 5-4.

Basilashvili then saved a set point in the 10th game, realizing his first set point in the tie-break to steal the opener. After losing the first set, Murray responded well as he broke Basilashvili in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead.

Murray blew three set points on his serve in the 10th game as Basilashvili managed to force a tie-break. Basilashvili's bid to steal the second set as well fell short as Murray realized his fifth set point in the tie-break to force a decider.

After winning a tight second set, Murray started the third set with a 3-0 lead. This time, Murray held on to his serve the rest of the set to complete a comeback win. Murray plays next Belgian David Goffin.