Old school Andy 🙌 @andy_murray puts on a vintage three hour performance to outfox Alcaraz 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 and reach the third round for the first time since 2016. #BNPPO21
The former BNP Paribas Open finalist started off the match very well taking an early break after Alcaraz entered the match shaky. The Spanish phenom only knows how to play aggressively and early on he was misfiring a bit. As time went on Alcaraz started playing much better and his confidence returned. That allowed him not only to tie it up but also win the opening set with 7-5.
The 2nd set was another interesting one where Alcaraz still played fairly well while Murray failed to create something. The British player was forced on the defensive due to the ultra-aggressive playstyle of Alcaraz and he was only able to hold on barely. He saved multiple break points early in the 2nd set but found himself with a chance at 2-3.
He got a rare break point and converted it to take a 4-2 lead before extending it to 5-2. He held his nerve and serve to win the 2nd set with 6-3. Murray hit only 2 winners in that set and one was an underarm serve ace. It's a great illustration that Alcaraz gave away the set with multiple cheap errors especially towards the end of the set.
Ultimately errors proved to be his undoing as he was unable to change his style once his primary playstyle stopped working. Errors kept piling up and Murray took a one break lead and then added another before finishing it off with 6-2. Alcaraz took a late match MTO for a foot issue but it did not matter in the end.
Old school Andy 🙌 @andy_murray puts on a vintage three hour performance to outfox Alcaraz 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 and reach the third round for the first time since 2016. #BNPPO21