Andy Murray’s career is still alive! Former No. 1 and Daniel Evans thanks 5 MPs to advance to Olympics | The ATP Tour
Paris Olympics
Retirement can wait: Murray, Evans save 5 MPs to boost Olympics
The Britons square off against Japan’s Daniel/Nishikori
July 28, 2024
AFP/Getty Images
Andy Murray and Daniel Evans celebrate after meeting Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori in Paris.
By ATP staff
Andy Murray’s career came to an end on Sunday evening, but then came one of the first magical moments of the Paris Olympics.
Former PIF ATP Rankings No. 1 and Great Britain’s Daniel Evans saved five straight points at 4/9 in the Match Tie-break before beating Japan’s Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori 2-6, 7- 6(5), 11-9.
“We just tried to play all the points in the end. I thought we were done,” Murray said. “Evo came out with good results. I had a few great resources on 6/9 to get us through 8/9. It’s just unbelievable. I have never played a doubles match like that where I put so many points in a row. A special place to do it obviously.”
WHAT A WAR 🔥@andy_murray and Dan Evans scored 5 match points to win their first round battle #Paris2024 💢#Olympics #tennis pic.twitter.com/h8PwdRfpgP
– ATP Tour (@atptour) July 28, 2024
Daniel and Nishikori were in control for most of the game, leading 6-2, 4-2. But Evans and Murray continued to battle and eventually overcame a seemingly insurmountable deficit in a tense Match Tie-break.
“It’s amazing. I think on 4/9 I didn’t want to miss a shot to finish his career,” Evans said with a laugh. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.”
Evans and Murray, who lost in the first round at Roland Garros earlier this year, will next play eighth seeds Arthur Fils/Ugo Humbert or Belgians Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen. Evans had won a three-set singles match earlier in the day.
The Britons also competed together last year in Washington (l. in the quarter-finals) and at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (l. in the Round of 16).
“I think we both liked competing against our country in the past years. We have been part of the same Davis Cup team for many years. Dan is very passionate about competing as part of a team. “We both wanted to do this together in my last tournament,” said Murray. “I loved being part of the Olympics, it’s an amazing event. It has meant a lot to me over the years and to finish playing here for the last time at the Olympics is very important.
“I’m glad we live to fight another day because it would be disappointing to lose today. But we’re moving on, let’s see where we end up.”
