MURRAY A GRIT WARRIOR

35-year-old Scot survives match point to upset 2022 s-finalist Berrettini

Andy Murray said he had silenced the doubters after defeating Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in five gruelling sets on Tuesday to book a spot in the Australian Open second round.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has battled major hip and abdominal injuries for half a decade but declared himself free of pain and fired up before the tournament.

His renowned grit was on full display in saving match point to topple Berrettini 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (10-6) in 4hr 49min under a closed roof on Rod Laver Arena due to extreme heat, which halted several matches on the outside courts.

It was a huge win for the 35-year-old Scot, now ranked 66th, to knock out the 2022 semi-finalist.

"I think, the last few years, I've certainly questioned myself at times," said Murray, a five-time runner-up at Melbourne Park and former world No. 1 who faces Thanasi Kokkinakis or Fabio Fognini next.

"There's certainly a lot of people who questioned me and my ability, whether I could still perform at the biggest events and the biggest matches.