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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday May 3, 2022

 
Andy Murray

Andy Murray toppled Denis Shapovalov in three sets to set a pivotal third-rounder with Novak Djokovic at Madrid.

Photo Source: Getty

Andy Murray, months on from announcing his third union with his go-to savior/coach Ivan Lendl, appears to be hitting the next level in his comeback.

Tennis Express

The 34-year-old Scot won for the second consecutive day in Madrid, edging Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, the No.14 seed, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, to book a clash with World No.1 Novak Djokovic at Madrid, scheduled for Thursday.


It has been a better than expected return to the clay for the 34-year-old No.1. He hadn’t originally planned to play on clay at all this year, but said that cancellations of challenger events that he had planned to play caused him to rethink his schedule when he was confronted with teh option: nine months away from competitive tennis.

It appears to have been the perfect call. Murray won his first match on clay since Roland-Garros 2017 on Monday, defeating Dominic Thiem, 6-3, 6-4, and expressed extreme satisfaction with his form.

“I played smart tennis, I think,” he said. “I used the serve and volley a little bit, used a dropshot, used different heights. Yeah, I did well considering, you know, when I did play, I think I only played one match on the clay two years ago, and before that, it had been another few years. So I have hardly played on this surface for a really long time. Considering, I thought I did well.”

Murray was back again on Tuesday, and forced to battle across three sets against the surly Shapovalov, but he came through confidently to close out the victory, improving to 6-1 in three-setters this season.

Murray credited his movement for helping him unlock his game against the Canadian.

"I trained very hard the past four or five weeks and got my game in good shape. My movement has been so much better than where it was at the beginning of the year and it makes a huge difference to my whole game," Murray said. "It allows me to make different decisions on the court. My movement won me that match tonight. I defended so many points. He has so much power and I managed to defend lots of points and that won the match for me, so I was really happy with that."

The Scot may have renewed hope at this juncture of the season, but he still doesn’t see himself on the level of World No.1 Novak Djokovic.


"In theory I should have no chance in the match. He's obviously No. 1 in the world,” Murray quipped on court after his win. “I'm playing with a metal hip, so I shouldn't have a chance in the match.

Murray may have low expectations but he plans to use the match as a litmus test as he and his coach Lendl continue to fine-tune his game for the grass this season.

“It's a great opportunity for me to see where my game's at and to play against him again,” Murray said, adding: "We've had so many great battles over the years in some of the biggest tournaments in the world. We played in the final I think of all four Grand Slams, we played here in the final, and I haven't had that opportunity to play against him for a long time. Didn't know if I ever would get that chance [again], so I'll enjoy it, I'll have a fantastic attitude in the match, give it my best and see where I'm at."

Djokovic trails the lifetime head-to-head with Djokovic 11-25.

They last met more than five years ago, at Doha in 2017.

Djokovic, who defeated Gael Monfils for the 18th consecutive time on Tuesday, had this to say about Murray:

“I have seen a few of his matches, actually I saw some of his match from last night with Dominic,” he said. “He's moving well, playing better and better. It's really fantastic to see, because he's an important player for our game. He's made his mark in the history of our sport by winning multiple slams and gold medals and No. 1 of the world. He's one of the most important names that we have.

“To have him still compete is great, and to have him even play at the high level as the time goes by is impressive, considering the surgery and what he has been through in the last few years. His resilience and fighting spirit is really inspiring.”

 

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