Andy Murray is set for his first ATP final appearance in more than two years. A familiar face will be there to welcome him.
Murray and Stan Wawrinka will be squaring off for the 20th time in their careers when they battle for the European Open title on Sunday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at 11-8 in favor of the 32-year-old Scot, who has won three of their last four encounters after prevailing 6-1, 6-3 on the grass courts of Eastbourne last summer.
It was, of course, downhill almost immediately thereafter for Murray. In fact, the match that really touched off his hip issues came more than a year earlier against none other than Wawrinka. At the 2017 French Open, the Swiss scored a 6-7(6), 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-1 semifinal victory and Murray has not been the same since. But the Murray of old appears to be coming closer and closer to a return much earlier than expected on the heels of February hip surgery. The three-time major champion 7-2 in his last nine matches following Antwerp wins over Kimmer Coppejans, Pablo Cuevas, Marius Copil, and Ugo Humbert.
“I feel good,” Murray said after overcoming Humbert 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in two hours and 22 minutes on Saturday. “It has been a long road to get back to this point. I certainly didn’t expect to get here so soon after I started playing again, so it’s a big surprise for me.”
Wawrinka’s performance is less of a surprise, but at the same time he had been sidelined since the U.S. Open due to a knee injury. The 34-year-old Swiss has shaken off the rust with defeats this week of Feliciano Lopez (in a third-set tiebreaker), Gilles Simon, and Jannik Sinner.
“Stan’s a brilliant player,” Murray commented. “We’ve played against each other a lot in big tournaments. He has had his injury problems as well in the last couple of years. In fact, my last match against him in 2017 was when the problems in my hip really started. I never recovered from that match.”
Pick: Wawrinka in 3
[polldaddy poll=10437487]
WWW?
Stan in three
Stan the man in 2
whoohoo Andy, such a hard fought match.
#welshwitch
#RZ
#Alison
#Big Al
#CongrtsAndyMurray
#CongratsStan
#tenniswins
🏆
Andy Murray raises his ranking up to #127 ?!!!! Such an improvement and best of luck in 2020 Andy!
#FarahDibaCongrats! And to all Andy Murray fans who are smiling today – enjoy this bright spot 🌹
Hahahaha….Thanks RC!…Congrats 2 u 2 RC!..and not forget to all Andy 2nd class fans too!…
It’s sooo amazing to c him compete at the highest level & win the title again!..
Welshwitch got it right with her prediction & win Antwerp bracket isn’t she?Hahaha…Many congrats to her!
Hi Elizabeth many thanks for the heads up my dear, so happy for Murray, hope your well xx 🙂
What a pleasure to see Murray back playing again: he’s had some tough matches this week and to be honest I didn’t expect him to get as far as the final let alone win the title. Well done Andy
After all he has been through it’s such a pleasure to see Murray fit and healthy again (albeit a little rusty at times) but to win the title so soon after his comeback was an incredible achievement. Congratulations Andy!!
Great win for Andy, Stan when hes in the zone , especially in a final can beat anybody on his day, one of the rare few whos gave gives Novak the yips ….
Big grats to Andy! And smaller grats to Stan! Great result for both!! (And grats to ME for picking Andy as the winner. 🙂 I also picked Medvedev and – not Shapo – don’t even remember who I picked in Stockholm but you can’t win ’em all) Anyway, grats to Shapo as well for his very first ATP win.
Are you Welshwitch,Ramara?
No way! Neither Welsh nor witch. 🙂
Just wondered who our fellow Bracketeers were.Backhandpass? Could be another of Miras aliases
..
I had to come here to congratulate Andy Murray! I am so happy for him! I thought getting to the final was an accomplishment! This is a great win! Bravo Andy!
I am thrilled to see him back winning a title! This is such a feel good story to see him come back like this!
Way to go, Andy! I was crying right along with you!