Canada’s Denis Shapovalov paid tribute to two-time champion Andy Murray after he ended the Scot’s run at Wimbledon with a straight-sets triumph last night.
Murray, playing singles for the first time at Wimbledon since 2017 – two years after having a metal hip inserted - bowed out with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win, having battled through two tough matches to make it through to the third round.
“I honestly just told him at the net that he’s my hero,” said the 22-year-old Canadian, who is into the fourth round for the first time.
“Achievements aside, what he’s been able to do in the sport, to be able to come back with an injury like this, and to be playing the tennis he’s playing, movng the way he’s playing…in the second match it was vintage Andy, it was so much fun to see as a fan.”
Murray pushed Shapovalov hard in the first set, coming from 5-1 down to get back to 5-4 and forcing three break back points to get himself on level terms.
Only a stunning forehand drop volley on the third of the break points denied Murray and Shapovalov said he had needed to be on his game throughout to get the job done.
“I was totally excited, the first set we played today was super intense, I had to give it really, really my all,” Shapovalov said. “After that I had to maintain my level, I thought he dropped his level a bit but still it’s incredible what he’s done to make it to the third round like this.”
And Shapovalov said he hoped to see Murray around more and more on the Tour in the coming months.
“He’s just starting back up so it’s going to be amazing to see what he can do,” he said.
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