Relief is not normally a feeling associated with a birthday but Andy Murray yesterday breathed a huge sigh as he celebrated turning 25 by escaping the claws of a resurgent David Nalbandian at the Rome Masters.
Trailing 3-1 in the final set, Murray looked to be in serious trouble, having cruised through the first set before the Nalbandian fightback began. But in his first match since Barcelona, the Scot dug deep and scrambled back to record a 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 victory that will be as satisfying as any birthday present he receives.
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