Andy Murray battled again from 6-3 down within the deciding tie-break to beat Jack Draper
| Venue: P&J Area, Aberdeen Dates: Wednesday 21 December – Thursday 22 December |
| Protection: Watch reside on the BBC Sport web site & app plus on the BBC iPlayer |
Andy Murray rolled again the years, beating England’s Jack Draper on a deciding tie-break, to depart the Battle of the Brits degree on day one.
The 35-year-old claimed a 6-2 1-6 12-10 victory for Group Scotland in Aberdeen after England’s Dan Evans had received the opening rubber.
Draper, 20, took the momentum into the 10-point tie break however Murray turned the tide with some trademark hustle.
“Whereas I’m nonetheless capable of do it that is what it’s all about,” he mentioned.
“Will to win, combating for each level, chasing each ball down. It was half luck, half talent.
“Just a few pictures got here off and it was an unbelievable ending. I’ve not performed many tie-breaks like that earlier than.”
Murray channelled the fervent house help to interrupt thrice within the opening set, claiming it by way of a second set level on the Draper serve.
The Englishman responded strongly, breaking Murray thrice to take the second set, exhibiting the shape that took him to this 12 months’s Subsequent Gen Finals for the very best younger gamers on the ATP Tour.
Within the deciding tie-break he opened a 6-3 lead earlier than Murray whipped up the gang after reaching a ball out broad to drive a backhand winner down the road.
The Scot surfed that wave of help to degree and ultimately claimed victory on a 3rd match level with a surprising forehand winner.
‘We’ve got so much to thank Jamie Murray for’ – Evans
Evans, 32, had put the English workforce within the driving seat, taking the opening rubber with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Scotland’s 373rd-ranked McHugh.
The world quantity 27 repeated the two-set victory he loved in his solely earlier assembly towards the 22-year-old Glaswegian on the inaugural Battle of the Brits event in 2020.
Evans thanked event director Jamie Murray for establishing the occasion – the Scot staged the primary two Battle of the Brits conferences throughout lockdown, with out spectators, at a time when the common tennis excursions had been halted.
“We’ve got so much to thank him [Jamie Murray] for,” mentioned the Birmingham-born participant. “He actually taken care of us again throughout Covid.
“I had a giant probability to come back and do it in entrance of the general public and it wasn’t even a selection actually.
“All of the gamers have been at all times going to come back. He has completed an incredible job mainly promoting this place out so thanks a lot to Jamie. It is an incredible occasion and I sit up for enjoying in lots of extra.”
Evans has another singles match to play, towards Andy Murray, within the afternoon session on Thursday.
The Battle of the Brits – between Group Scotland and Group England – includes 4 males’s singles and two males’s doubles matches unfold over two days, from Wednesday to Thursday, 21-22 December.
In addition to enjoying Evans, Andy Murray is because of companion brother Jamie in a doubles match, doubtlessly for the ultimate time of their careers, to shut the event on Thursday night.