Andy Murray makes Wimbledon request for Denis Shapovalov clash after epic five-set win
Andy Murray insists he feels physically fine despite a few worrying slips in an incredible Wimbledon second-round win over German qualifier Oscar Otte on Wednesday night – but has asked the SW19 crowd to bring the noise again in his next match on Friday.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Murray was a set and a break up before Otte found some rhythm to clinch sets two and three and crank up the pressure on the Brit.
But after an enforced break at 2-2 in the fourth set due to dwindling daylight, Murray battled back in front of 7,500 fans on the All England Club’s main court for an incredible victory that sets him up against Denis Shapovalov in round three.
Murray played for nearly four hours but eventually clinched a 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory inside an electric Centre Court, with the already-cacophonous noise from the crowd only racketing up after the roof was closed.
He has now been on court for seven hours and 23 minutes after just two matches having beaten Nikolas Basilashvili before Otte in what was his first singles match at Wimbledon since 2017.
The three-time Grand Slam winner has been in an ongoing battle with his own body in recent years due to numerous injury problems but played down any fears that he might be feeling the effects of so much time on court already this week.
