Two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray beat Indian qualifier Yuki Bhambri 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) Monday to begin another quest to win an elusive Australian Open title.
Playing in the newly refurbished Margaret Court Arena, Murray trailed 4-1 in the third set before coming back to level the set and then dominate Bhambri, the 2009 Australian Open junior champion, in the tiebreaker. Murray has reached the final of the Australian Open three times, losing to Roger Federer in 2010 and Novak Djokovic in 2011 and 2013.
In between those losses to Djokovic, Murray won his first major at the 2012 U.S. Open and followed that up with a second Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2013. Murray said it was a “tricky” match for him and that he was impressed with Bhambri, former No. 1-ranked junior.
“He played very close to the baseline on that court, coming forward a lot,” he said. “Even when I was hitting good returns, he was changing the direction of the ball very quickly. He had good hands, solid volleys and made it tough.” he said. Murray, who next plays big-serving Marinko Matosevic, has a tough draw that could involve a quarterfinal match against Roger Federer.