Australian Open 2023 LIVE: Novak Djokovic wins on return after Andy Murray defeats Matteo Berrettini in epic

Novak Djokovic, bidding to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title, began his campaign with a 6-3 6-4 6-0 victory over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.

Djokovic was given a hero’s welcome as he returned to the tournament, after his visa ban was lifted by the Australian government following his controversial deportation last year.

Earlier, Andy Murray rolled back the years with an epic five-set win over Matteo Berrettini.

Bidding to beat a top-20 player at a grand slam for the first time since his hip problems began in 2017, Murray won the opening two sets before Berrettini fought back to level in a dramatic fourth-set tie-break.

The Italian 13th seed created a match point in the 10th game of the deciding set but dumped a simple backhand into the net with the court wide open and Murray held on to force a deciding tie-break.

A gruelling first point won by the Scot set the tone and Murray, who moved superbly, was able to celebrate a stunning 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7 (7) 7-6 (6) victory after four hours and 49 minutes.

Follow live updates and the latest scores from the Australian Open in our live blog below.

Australian Open LIVE: Latest scores and updates

• Novak Djokovic makes winning start to Australian Open title bid

• Djokovic receives warm welcome on return to Rod Laver Arena

• Andy Murray wins epic match against Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6)

• After earlier heat, play on ground courts suspended due to rain in Melbourne

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 6-4 6-0 Carballes Baena - Game, set and match!

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Here’s Djokovic: “Unbelievable atmosphere. Thank you for staying so late everybody (it’s almost 1am local time) and for giving me a reception I could only dream of. I’m very happy that I’m back in Australia and back to the place where I had the biggest success in my career, this court is the most special court in my career and I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tournament.”

Australian Open 2023: Today’s results

Tuesday 17 January 2023 16:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Women’s Singles, First Round

Ekaterina Alexandrova (19), Russia, def. Ysaline Bonaventure, Belgium, 6-2, 6-1.

Camila Giorgi, Italy, def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Russia, 6-0, 6-1.

Taylor Townsend, United States, def. Diane Parry, France, 6-1, 6-1.

Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova, Slovakia, def. Martina Trevisan (21), Italy, 6-3, 6-2.

Aryna Sabalenka (5), Belarus, def. Tereza Martincova, Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-4.

Shelby Rogers, United States, def. Arianne Hartono, Netherlands, 6-4, 6-3.

Leylah Annie Fernandez, Canada, def. Alize Cornet, France, 7-5, 6-2.

Linda Fruhvirtova, Czech Republic, def. Jaimee Fourlis, Australia, 6-0, 6-4.

Kimberly Birrell, Australia, def. Kaia Kanepi (31), Estonia, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1.

Elise Mertens (26), Belgium, def. Garbine Muguruza, Spain, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1.

Caroline Garcia (4), France, def. Katherine Sebov, Canada, 6-3, 6-0.

Karolina Pliskova (30), Czech Republic, def. Wang Xiyu, China, 6-1, 6-3.

Katie Volynets, United States, def. Evgeniya Rodina, Russia, 6-3, 6-2.

Anett Kontaveit (16), Estonia, def. Julia Grabher, Austria, 6-2, 6-3.

Veronika Kudermetova (9), Russia, def. Maryna Zanevska, Belgium, 6-2, 7-6 (4).

Liudmila Samsonova (18), Russia, def. Jasmine Paolini, Italy, 6-2, 6-4.

Belinda Bencic (12), Switzerland, def. Viktoriya Tomova, Bulgaria, 6-1, 6-2.

Petra Martic, Croatia, def. Viktorija Golubic, Switzerland, 6-3, 6-4.

Ons Jabeur (2), Tunisia, def. Tamara Zidansek, Slovenia, 7-6 (8), 4-6, 6-1.

Yulia Putintseva, Kazakhstan, def. Sorana Cirstea, Romania, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Australian Open 2023: Today’s results

Tuesday 17 January 2023 16:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Men’s Singles, First Round

Andrey Rublev (5), Russia, def. Dominic Thiem, Austria, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Grigor Dimitrov (27), Bulgaria, def. Aslan Karatsev, Russia, 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2.

Laslo Djere, Serbia, def. Zizou Bergs, Belgium, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Taylor Fritz (8), United States, def. Nikoloz Basilashvili, Georgia, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

Jeremy Chardy, France, def. Daniel Elahi Galan, Colombia, 1-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

Nicolas Jarry, Chile, def. Miomir Kecmanovic (26), Serbia, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

Benjamin Bonzi, France, def. Mattia Bellucci, Italy, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Daniel Evans (25), Britain, def. Facundo Bagnis, Argentina, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Pablo Carreno Busta (14), Spain, def. Pedro Cachin, Argentina, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 7-6 (3).

Diego Schwartzman (23), Argentina, def. Oleksii Krutykh, Ukraine, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (30), Spain, def. Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan, 6-0, 6-7 (3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Andy Murray, Britain, def. Matteo Berrettini (13), Italy, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6).

Holger Rune (9), Denmark, def. Filip Krajinovic, Serbia, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

Tommy Paul, United States, def. Jan-Lennard Struff, Germany, 6-1, 7-6 (6), 6-2.

John Wolf, United States, def. Jordan Thompson, Australia, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Alexander Zverev (12), Germany, def. Juan Pablo Varillas, Peru, 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4.

Alex de Minaur (22), Australia, def. Yu Hsiou Hsu, Taiwan, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.

Jenson Brooksby, United States, def. Christopher O’Connell, Australia, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

Ben Shelton, United States, def. Zhang Zhizhen, China, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (4).

Novak Djokovic (4), Serbia, def. Roberto Carballes Baena, Spain, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

Casper Ruud (2), Norway, def. Tomas Machac, Czech Republic, 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Alexei Popyrin, Australia, def. Chun Hsin Tseng, Taiwan, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-1.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 15:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic believes we will see longer matches at the Australian Open this year because of the new tennis balls being used at the tournament.

“The tennis ball has changed this year. I mean, it is different from last year. I mean, the longer you play, the more rallies you play, the fluffier or the bigger the ball becomes, and it’s slower. I saw that Popyrin is playing now over four hours. Ruud played over three-and-a-half hours.

“I think we are going to see more of those longer duration of matches this year than we have maybe last year. One of the biggest reasons will probably be the ball because particularly on the big courts, I don’t think the speed of the surface has changed much. The outside courts are pretty quick. The stadium courts are a bit slower. But the ball is slower. So that affects the play.”

Australian Open 2023: Order of play

Tuesday 17 January 2023 15:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu vs Coco Gauff is without doubt the pick of tomorrow’s schedule, with Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal also in action.

Order of play - Wednesday 18 January

(All times local, +11 hours from GMT)

Rod Laver Arena

11:00: (1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) v Maria Camila Osorio Serrano (Col), (3) Jessica Pegula (USA) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Blr), (1) Rafael Nadal (Spa) v MacKenzie McDonald (USA), Emma Raducanu (Gbr) v (7) Cori Gauff (USA), (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) v Rinky Hijikata (Aus)

Margaret Court Arena

11:00: Diana Shnaider (Rus) v (6) Maria Sakkari (Gre), Alex Molcan (Svk) v (6) Felix Auger-Aliassime (Can), (10) Madison Keys (USA) v Xin Yu Wang (Chn), John Millman (Aus) v (7) Daniil Medvedev (Rus), Karolina Muchova (Cze) v (13) Danielle Collins (USA)

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic provides injury update

Tuesday 17 January 2023 15:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic was wearing strapping around his hamstring but was in dominant form as he defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0.

He said: “The leg is good. It’s not ideal, but it’s getting there. Today was a really good test. I haven’t had too much training in the last few days. The third set was great. That’s a good signal.”

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 14:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Italian player Camila Giorgi has denied obtaining a false Covid-19 vaccination certificate in order to compete in tournaments.

Italian media reported last month that a doctor, Daniela Grillone, had named Giorgi as one of the people who came to her seeking fake documentation.

Speaking for the first time about the allegations following a 6-0 6-1 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opening round of the Australian Open, Giorgi insisted she had done nothing wrong.

“The doctor has been investigated and she had troubles this year with the law a few times,” said the 31-year-old, who is ranked 70th.

“I did all my vaccination in different places. So the trouble is hers. Not me. So with that, I’m very calm.

“She (said) my name, of course, but there is more than 300 people who she give the names.”

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 14:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Russian flags have been banned at the Australian Open after one was displayed at a match between Russian and Ukrainian players.

The display drew a sharp rebuke for organisers from the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, and Tennis Australia has now announced that Russian and Belarusian flags will not be allowed at Melbourne Park for the rest of the tournament.

Players from those two countries are playing under a neutral flag at the tournament amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Somewhat bizarrely, organisers initially decided spectators could bring the two nations’ flags in, but displaying one has been deemed causing “disruption”.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 14:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Second seed Casper Ruud of Norway defeated Czech Tomas Machac 6-3 7-6(6) 6-7(5) 6-3 in the final match of the night session on Margaret Court Arena.

Ruud, runner-up at last year’s French Open and U.S. Open, will face American Jenson Brooksby in the second round.

Ruud finished his match after 2am and wrote on the TV camera when leaving the court, ‘Welcome to the late show!’

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 14:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu faces Coco Gauff in the Australian Open second round on Wednesday in a battle of the sport’s biggest teenage stars.

Former US Open champion Raducanu produced a convincing performance to wrap up 6-3 6-2 victory over Tamara Korpatsch in the opening round, setting up a first meeting with the 18-year-old Gauff, who reached the French Open final last season.

“I’m really looking forward to this match. I’m very up for it,” Raducanu said. “Coco has obviously done a lot of great things and she’s playing well. I’m just looking forward to the matchup. I think we’re both good, young players, we’re both coming through. Yeah, part of the next generation of tennis really. It’s going to be a great match.”

Here’s everything you need to know.

Is Emma Raducanu vs Coco Gauff on TV? Channel, time and how to watch

Australian Open 2023: For Andy Murray, the hard work pays off

Tuesday 17 January 2023 14:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Andy Murray talked a big game before the Australian Open, insisting he was ready to take on a top player in the opening stages of a grand slam, and then he lived up to his word. In a staggering five-set win over Matteo Berrettini and at the age of 35, Murray produced his best performance and physical display at this level in half a decade. The astonishing drama of his battle with Berrettini may have been staged over almost five hours, but this was a victory of perseverance built over a much longer time, created away from the spotlight where for so long there had only been frustration at the parts of his game that were not clicking together.

When Murray arrived at the Australian Open, more than 2,000 days had passed since his last win over a top-20 opponent at a grand slam, in what was a 2017 French Open quarter-final victory against Kei Nishikori. There had been several admiral efforts in the years since his hip resurfacing surgery, all typified by heart and character but accompanied by grimaces and hobbles, shuffled movement between points and pained expressions. It was, at times, uncomfortable to watch and as the results struggled to follow it was fair to wonder if it was all worth it.

“I’ve certainly questioned myself at times,” Murray admitted, but from somewhere he found the motivation to go again after a 2022 season that continued to be disrupted by injury niggles and a lack of consistency. Murray played his final match of the season in October, losing to a 38-year-old Gilles Simon who was on the verge of retirement. He was unhappy with his physical condition and his game was missing the spark required to compensate for it. “A lot of people questioned me and my ability,” Murray said. “Whether I could still perform at the biggest events and the biggest matches.”

For Andy Murray, the hard work pays off

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 14:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Second seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia sealed a hard-fought 7-6(10-8) 4-6 6-1 victory over Tamara Zidansek, claiming the final six games against the Slovenian.

“I was pretty frustrated in the second set, but I’m glad I let it out. I just told myself to be number two in the world and to win this match,” Jabeur said in her on-court interview.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:56 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s the action done for tonight, but the day’s schedule is not complete after heat and rain disrupted some of the earlier matches on the show courts.

Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis was leading 6-1 6-2 4-2 (40-15) against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini when their match was halted.

The winner is scheduled to meet former world number one Andy Murray in the second round.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 6-4 6-0 Carballes Baena - Game, set and match!

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic: “If I had to choose one court and conditions it would be a night session at the Rod Laver Arena, definitely.

“I’m very pleased with how I played in the third set. I didn’t give him a chance to breathe at the back of the court and I served well. In the second set it was up and down but credit to him for fighting, he’s a great guy, we train together in Spain and he deserves a big round of applause.”

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 6-4 6-0 Carballes Baena - Game, set and match!

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:42 , Jamie Braidwood

Carballes Baena battled well over the first and second sets but Djokovic was totally dominant.

Djokovic won 24 of 28 points in the third set...

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 6-4 6-0 Carballes Baena - Game, set and match!

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:41 , Jamie Braidwood

So, so impressive.

This is why Djokovic is the clear favourite to win his 10th title here.

This was a champion’s performance, as Djokovic firmly puts the misery behind him with a statement win.

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 6-3 6-4 5-0 Carballes Baena

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic continues his relentless charge, setting up two break points.

He takes it with an outstanding forehand winner off the Carballes Baena serve - dipping into the corner.

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 6-3 6-4 4-0 Carballes Baena

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic gets to 40-0, taking his hot streak to 19 of the previous 20 points.

He then throws in a serve and volley. He’s two games away.

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 6-3 6-4 3-0 Carballes Baena - Djokovic breaks

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:28 , Jamie Braidwood

13 points...

14 points...

Djokovic is on fire.

15 points...

The power is insane. Djokovic is blasting the poor Carballes Baena off the court.

The run stops at 15, but Djokovic gets the double break with a stunning dop volley at the net.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 6-4 2-0 Carballes Baena*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:24 , Jamie Braidwood

Three aces in a row from Djokovic? Carballes Baena stops the fourth, but Djokovic takes another game with his 12th point in a row.

This is silly...

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 6-3 6-4 1-0 Carballes Baena - Djokovic breaks

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic senses his chance and goes in for the kill. After setting up three break points at 0-40, he closes the net and puts away the backhand volley. He gets the early break.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 6-4 Carballes Baena - Djokovic wins the second set

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Relentless. Djokovic wins his second game in a row to love, and with it takes the second set.

That might break the Carballes Baena fight. It’s a long, long way back.

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 6-3 5-4 Carballes Baena

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Carballes Baena asks the question with the hold. The 29-year-old, who has never risen above 70th in the rankings, has done himself proud today with his effort.

But one break was enough in the first set, will it be enough in the second?

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 6-3 4-3 Carballes Baena

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic now begins to ramp up the pressure on the Carballes Baena serve, jumping on the returns.

He gets a little bit of luck with a sliced dropshot that tickles the netcord, and it brings up the first break point of the set.

Djokovic again stays patient and wears Carballes Baena down at the baseline. The Spaniard nets and Djokovic is cruising.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 3-3 Carballes Baena*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:56 , Jamie Braidwood

There are further cries of “Nole, Nole” as Djokovic holds to keep this on serve in the second set, but Carballes Baena has made this tight. There have yet to be any break point opportunities in the second set.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 2-2 Carballes Baena*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Wow - what a stunning angle from Djokovic! Carballes Baena got him back to deuce but as the rally got up to 13 shots, Djokovic whips one from the centre of the court onto the lines, sending Carballes Baena sliding.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 1-1 Carballes Baena*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic was shaking his head as Carballes Baena held his opening service game, and does so again as the Spaniard shows outstanding defence on the baseline, before pinging a return into Djokovic’s body.

It takes it to deuce, but Djokovic seals it with an ace.

*denotes next server

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 Carballes Baena - Djokovic wins first set

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Carballes Baena had three break points at 0-40, 2-2.

From there, Djokovic won 19 of the next 25 points to win the set.

Levels.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 6-3 Carballes Baena - Djokovic wins first set

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:20 , Jamie Braidwood

A bullet of a crosscourt forehand from Djokovic brings up three set points, and a netcord denies him of what would have been an ace out wide on 40-0.

Instead, Djokovic puts an ace up the middle.

Yep, that was formidable.

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 5-3 Carballes Baena

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:17 , Jamie Braidwood

Carballes Baena gets through his service game and at least asks the question of Djokovic to see his out.

Anyone backing against him? Don’t think so.

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 4-2 Carballes Baena - Djokovic breaks!

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic returns after the umpire calls time, which is a bit strange, but he makes it to the return spot for the Spaniard’s serve.

And after all that, another game goes straight to 0-40! This time Djokovic is not so forgiving.

He bludgeons the ball at Carballes Baena, the striking and precision incredible, and hits the winner into the corner.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 3-2 Carballes Baena*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 12:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Where did this come from? Carballes Baena again races to 40-0, but this time on the Djokovic serve.

Three break points for the Spaniard, but Djokovic tightens his game to save the first two.

There are grunts from Djokovic, and he wins the exchange from the baseline to save the third as well.

Another long rally - this time 17 shots - but Carballes Baena goes long. Ferocious hitting though from both.

Djokovic gets the hold, and then heads off to the toilet.

Australian Open 2023: *Djokovic 2-2 Carballes Baena

Tuesday 17 January 2023 11:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic looks to strike early in the match after going from 40-0 to deuce on the Carballes Baena serve. He whips a lovely forehand winner into the corner before turning into a brick wall on the baseline. Carballes Baena puts the smash long and then makes a further error.

Break point: but the Spaniard finds the ace, and from there goes to take the hold with a smart one-two. He’s turned up for the battle.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 2-1 Carballes Baena*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 11:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic is hitting well but he has needed to over the first three games, as Carballes Baena has come out to play. The Spaniard looks like he could be tricky to put away, with quick movement behind the baseline, but Djokovic finds a way through to hold again with good hitting towards the corners. Strong from both.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 1-0 Carballes Baena*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 11:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic lets rip on an inside-out forehand down the line and it helps wrap up a comfortable opening hold. There are chants of “Nole, Nole” around the Rod Laver Arena - haven’t heard an atmosphere like it over the first couple of days of play.

Australian Open 2023: Djokovic 0-0 Carballes Baena

Tuesday 17 January 2023 11:38 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic’s first shot back at the Australian Open is an... ace.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic gets warm welcome on return

Tuesday 17 January 2023 11:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Here comes Djokovic! As expected given what we have seen over the past week, there’s a very warm welcome for the nine-time champion. Rod Laver Arena is packed and you could almost say it’s in a party mood. There are loads of Serbian flags in the stadium.

Djokovic won all five of his matches to win the warm-up tournament in Adelaide last week. He has not lost in the Australian Open since 2018.

Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic makes return

Tuesday 17 January 2023 11:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic was denied the opportunity to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title last year after his deportation but he returns to Rod Laver Arena holding no grudges when he begins his campaign shortly.

The Serbian was deported on the eve of the 2022 tournament due to his Covid vaccine stance but the 35-year-old has let bygones be bygones as he looks ahead to his clash with Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.

“In a way, if I do hold grudges, probably if I’m not able to move on, I wouldn’t be here,” said Djokovic, who received a warm welcome from the crowd last week during a practice match with Nick Kyrgios.

“Also I have to say that the amount of positive experiences I had in Australia overwhelm the negative experience maybe of last year.”

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 11:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Well, that ended quickly. Ons Jabeur rattles off the third set 6-1 to defeat Tamara Zidansek, who lost her level quite dramatically after leaving the court at the end of the second set. Smiles for Jabeur who advances to the second round.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 10:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Australia’s Alex de Minaur cruised into the second round with a 6-2 6-2 6-3 win over Taiwan’s Hsu Yu-hsiou.

Play was set to resume on the outside courts at 9 p.m. local time after rain stopped play but has been delayed with players still warming up.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 10:48 , Jamie Braidwood

We’re heading into a decider at Rod Laver as Tamara Zidansek breaks Ons Jabeur to take the second set 6-4 and level the match. Jabeur is struggling.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 10:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Further reaction from Andy Murray: “I think the last few years, I’ve certainly questioned myself at times. There’s certainly a lot of people questioned me and my ability, whether I could still perform at the biggest events and the biggest matches.

“I felt very proud of myself after the match. That’s not something that I generally felt over the years at the end of the tennis matches. But I think I’m proud of the work that I put in the last few months. I trained really, really hard over in Florida getting ready to play here.

“I’m really proud of how I fought through that match at the end when it could have got away from me, how I played in the tiebreak at the end.

“Yeah, I was impressed with myself, which again is not something... I’m hard on myself usually.

“Tonight I need to give myself some credit because the last few years have been tough. I’ve lost a few of those matches, those type of matches, in the slams the last couple years, whether that’s the Tsitsipas match or Isner at Wimbledon. That one could have gone the other way tonight, but I stayed strong and I deserved to win.”

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 10:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Ons Jabeur takes the opening set of her first-round match Tamara Zidansek on a tiebreak 10-8. This has been much closer than expected, with Jabeur still yet to find her range and Zidansek responding to the challenge to break back midway through the first set. It’s been a good battle on Rod Laver.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 09:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Alexander Zverev survived a scare against lucky loser Juan Pablo Varillas to prevail 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6(3) 6-4 in over four hours, earning his first Grand Slam win since he was forced to retire in the French Open semi-final against Rafa Nadal.

Danish teenager Holger Rune, the ninth seed, breezed through with a 6-2 6-3 6-4 win over Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 09:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Fourth seed Caroline Garcia cruised into the second round with a 6-3 6-0 win over Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov, while Elise Mertens fought back from a set down to hold off 2020 finalist and former world number one Garbine Muguruza 3-6 7-6(3) 6-1.

Home favourite Kimberly Birrell, who was granted a main-draw spot after Venus Williams pulled out, produced a stunning comeback to beat 31st seed Kaia Kanepi 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1.

Australian Open 2023

Tuesday 17 January 2023 09:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Eighth seed Taylor Fritz fired 32 aces in his 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-5 victory over Nikoloz Basilashvili to move into the second round and the American’s next big challenge is persuading his girlfriend to let him to play video games.

“I’m gonna get lots of hours of recovery after the match, make sure I’m feeling good, maybe get some dinner and possibly play some video games if my girlfriend lets me,” Fritz said.

Australian Open 2023: Rain in Melbourne

Tuesday 17 January 2023 09:01 , Jamie Braidwood

After the intense heat of the afternoon, it’s now raining in Melbourne and it looks as if there will be no further play on the outdoor courts today.

Up next on Rod Laver Arena, world No 2 Ons Jabeur faces Tamara Zidansek, before Novak Djokovic takes on Roberto Carballes Baena in his Australian Open return.

Australian Open 2023: Murray defeats Berrettini in five-set epic

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:43 , Jamie Braidwood

Tim Henman hits the nail on the head here:

“I think it’s almost like two different careers. Because of the nature of the operation it’s not like he’s had a knee surgery or an elbow surgery, he’s got a metal hip. With the time he has been away, it’s taken time to adjust to that. His movement was pretty ordinary to begin with but it getting better and better.

“For me the level of tennis he was playing last year was disappointing. I don’t think he was playing well and I thought that would be the easy bit to get back. Now you are seeing a performance of his movement, his stamina, his endurance, and his quality of tennis, and it came together. And that is incredible to watch.”

Australian Open 2023: Murray defeats Berrettini in five-set epic

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:37 , Jamie Braidwood

More from Murray: “I stayed remarkably calm at the end. I made a really good start in the tiebreak and put a few returns in play, tried to take the intiative in the rallies. I think I served smart in the match. He hit a bad shot on match point - I was lucky there for sure. It was incredibly close throughout the match.”

Henman asks Murray if its wise to be diving with metal hip on a hard court. “I’ll find out tonight whether that was the right move! But I was so close to the finish line there. It feels fine just now.”

Australian Open 2023: Murray defeats Berrettini in five-set epic

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Some more reaction from Murray. He tells Eurosport and Tim Henman: “Amazing win, to stay with it in that fifth set when he was playing as well as he was. Physically, we were both tired but I have put a lot of work in over the last three months, but in the last couple of years I have lost these matches in the slams. A tight one to Tsitsipas at the US, Isner at Wimbledon. That one [tonight] could have also got away from me. But I think all the work I’ve put in has paid off in the end. Yes, I got a bit lucky with the netcord, but I earned that.”

Australian Open 2023: Murray defeats Berrettini in five-set epic

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray admitted he had no idea it had been 18 years since he had lost a match from two sets up, and that it helped he was unaware of that statistic. Murray has now won 159 out of 160 matches in which he has won the first two sets, never in doubt right?

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-7 Murray - GAME, SET AND MATCH

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray: “I had a couple of break points early in the third set and didn’t get them. He served well on those points and the momentum changed. It felt like to me he was serving unbelievable, accurate as well. I made some tweaks near the end and maybe I could have done that sooner. But he played extremely well.”

Jamie Murray salutes his brother’s epic Australian Open win

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:16 , Lawrence Ostlere

Andy Murray’s brother, Jamie, quite enjoyed that one:

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-7 Murray - GAME, SET AND MATCH

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Here is the man himself: “I’ll be feeling this this evening and tomorrow but now I’m just unbelievably happy, just so proud of myself. I’ve put a lot of work into the last few months with my team, who have given me the opportunity to perform like this here against players like Matteo, it paid off tonight.

“That’s the first time I’ve played a match tiebreaker, first to 10, and it’s a bit different. It feels like you are still far away. He came away strong and I was lucky at the end. But it felt like the tennis at the end was really good. He was serving unbelievable and he’s a brilliant competitor - one of the best - he always fights to the end.”

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-7 Murray - GAME, SET AND MATCH

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:05 , Jamie Braidwood

ANDY MURRAY HAS DONE IT!

It’s unbelievable, it’s staggering, it’s his best win since coming back from hip surgery!

The 35-year-old is in tears as he soaks it in. He defeats Matteo Berrettini in five sets, in four hours and 49 minutes!

And after saving match point!

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-6 Murray - Match tiebreak

Tuesday 17 January 2023 08:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini bombs the first serve down the middle, cutting Murray’s lead. Insane pressure now. 5-8

No! Murray lands the first serve, Berrettini chips back, but Murray’s driven forehand goes long! It’s down to 6-8!

First serve from Murray out wide, then follows it in! He smashes, Berrettini returns, and again, but then the Italian goes wide! THREE MATCH POINTS 6-9

Berrettini serves... Murray returns... it clips the netcord, and drops IN!

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-6 Murray - Match tiebreak

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:57 , Jamie Braidwood

First serve out wide from Murray, Berrettini goes long on the forehand! 1-6

Berrettini moves Murray around, and this time his slice drifts long. 2-6

Berrettini now can’t buy a first serve, Murray attacks with the backhand, but Berrettini steadies, holds on, and Murray pushes the crosscourt forehand wide! 3-6

What a time for a first serve from Murray! Berrettini can’t reply, but Murray isn’t done yet. Remember it’s first to 10. 3-7

Brilliant again from Murray! Serve out wide to the Berrettini forehand, cuts the angle on the return, and Berrettini nets! Two points away... 3-8

But Berrettini fights on! In an incredible 17-point rally, he turns defence into attack, and then crushes the winner down the line. 4-8

We change ends...

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-6 Murray - Match tiebreak

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray wins the first point, and on the Berrettini serve! He brings the Italian in for a drop shot, covers the pass, and puts the backhand away. 0-1

What a point from Murray! He drags Berrettini this way and that, hitting the lines with aggressive forehands, and Berrettini nets on the slice! 0-2

And Murray goes back to his serve out wide, to the Berrettini forhand, and the Italian can’t return! What a start, but there’s a long way to go. 0-3

Berrettini can’t find a first serve, and then nets again! Suddenly the errors are back from Berrettini! But Murray is forcing them! 0-4

Berrettini then goes long on the slice! It’s FIVE points in a row for Murray, no first serves yet for Berrettini! 0-5

A first error from Murray gets Berrettini on the board - Murray stretched on the backhand, and pushed it long. 1-5

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-6 Murray - Match tiebreak

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Huge pressure on Murray here, but gets a bit of a gift from Berrettini as the Italian puts a second-serve return straight into the net.

40-15, and Berrettini nets again on the backhand side!

We’re heading for a match tiebreaker, first to 10 points.

Can’t cope.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 6-5 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:43 , Jamie Braidwood

Well, that backhand chance on match point from Berrettini should be ringing around his ears, but he opens his service game with a clean forehand winner into the corner - and then another brutal serve out wide that Murray can’t return.

A delicious drop shot from Berrettini beats Murray, who then has to duck to dodge the umpire’s chair.

40-15, and Murray nets from the baseline. Berrettini holds.

Murray will again have to serve to stay in it.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 5-5 Murray - Murray saves match point

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:36 , Jamie Braidwood

And now Murray must do what Berrettini did twice in the fourth, and serve to stay in the match.

After an ace gets him to 30-0, Murray looked to have control of the point but puts a volley wide.

It’s followed by a poor forehand from the baseline - sloppy - and suddenly Berrettini has a real chance at 30-30.

And Berrettini tightens his grip: he attacks Murray’s serve and forces the error, bringing up match point.

And what a chance! Murray played a poor drop shot, and Berrettini had a backhand to win it! But it goes straight into the net!

Another Berrettini backhand into the net!

Advantage Murray, but Berrettini makes no mistake this time when stepping up his attack. He drills the forehand for a winner.

Another gruelling point, but Murray holds on! Berrettini sends his forehand long.

Ace from Murray! NOT. DONE. YET.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 5-4 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:32 , Jamie Braidwood

There’s another big fist-pump from Murray as he reaches the drop shot from Berrettini, and flips the pick-up over the net for a winner!

But Berrettini brings down the mood with three consecutive aces! How do you deal with that?

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 4-4 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini gets Murray running with a backhand lob, but Murray dictates the next three points to move clear. He then snaps a brilliant forehand into the corner. There’s plenty of life in him yet as we go even deeper into this fifth.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 4-3 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:25 , Jamie Braidwood

A loose backhand from Murray sees Berrettini able to hold to love. Murray hasn’t been able to find a way to disrupt his serving, but it’s a tough ask.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 3-3 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Strong serving from Murray gets him to 40-0, with Berrettini then netting on the sliding forehand. That’s a very welcome hold at this stage, as we enter the fourth hour of this epic contest.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 3-2 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini follows his first double fault of the match (!) with an ace. Murray somehow then scrambled to reach Berrettini’s drop shot, before finding the winner into open court. He takes the hold.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 2-2 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:15 , Jamie Braidwood

What a shot from Murray! Amazing! Berrettini had a forehand down the line to set up break point, but Murray leaps, contorting his body, before flipping the backhand volley into the open court!

Is that the spark he needs?

It came after a really bad miss from Murray. He got a break on the netcord with the backhand crosscourt, before going long when there was a clear corridor down the line for the pass.

Berrettini had a chance at 30-30, but then Murray produced that incredible volley.

He raises his fist to the crowd.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 2-1 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:07 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray appears to suggest he’s “lost his focus” as Berrettini holds to love. The Italian is serving so well now. barely missing on the first serve.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 1-1 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 07:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray starts with a simple hold himself. Physically, Murray is still looking pretty strong as he races to reach a Berrettini volley, before putting away the pass.

*denotes next server

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 1-0 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini will have the advantage by serving first in the decider, and he starts with a simple hold. Murray has done so well so far but needs to raise it now.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:58 , Jamie Braidwood

Both players left the court after the fourth set - I think Murray needed some attention on his knee too after diving to reach Berrettini’s backhand pass in the tiebreak.

How can Murray’s body hold up now, as we enter a fifth set and approach four hours of play? This was been a superb performance so far - his best for years - but Berrettini has shown how tough this challenge was always going to be.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7) Murray - Berrettini wins fourth set

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Now can Murray edge ahead and bring up match point?

OH MY GOODNESS WHAT A POINT! Murray almost produces a forehand winner down the line, then Berrettini produces the backhand pass! Murray flies at the volley, diving, but it just drifts long!

Set point Berrettini, but he goes long on the backhand slice! 7-7!

There was a chance for Murray, but Berrettini digs out a brilliant volley, and Murray puts the forehand wide! 8-7, and a third set point.

Murray was inches from an ace out wide... Berrettini attacks on the forehand, Murray defends, but as the Italian approaches the net, Murray sends the forehand long!

Berrettini takes the set after a classic tiebreak! Incredible drama, insane.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-6 Murray - Tiebreak

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini edges ahead once more with another big serve. 4-3

More positive, aggressive play from Murray on the backhand side. He steps into the shot and it rattles Berrettini. 4-4

What a point! A 24-shot rally! But it goes the way of Berrettini. Stunning defence from the Italian, and Murray blinks as he drags the backhand wide! He leads 5-4 with two serves to come!

Winner from Murray! What a forehand down the line! Sensational! 5-5

And it’s followed by another ace from Berrettini! 6-5, and set point to the Italian, but Murray will serve next.

We go on! Murray targets the Berrettini backhand, and gets his reward! Berrettini nets, a poor error.

6-6!

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-6 Murray - Tiebreak

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:33 , Jamie Braidwood

A long rally on the Murray serve to start, he’s found success with them and Berrettini nets on the backhand side. 0-1

Berrettini produces another big serve, as well as the forehand winner out wide. 1-1

Ace down the middle from Berrettini. Not much Murray can do about that. 2-1

Brilliant from Murray. He steps into the backhand crosscourt and Berrettini can’t respond. 2-2

But Murray is the first to blink! Off the Berrettini return, Murray can’t do enough and he drops a poor backhand into the net. It’s a mini-break for Berrettini. 3-2

But Berrettini throws it back! He sends the forehand long and Murray gets back into it as we change ends. 3-3

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-6 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini lands the overhead to start his service game after Murray was sent running around the baseline - then the Italian hits the one-two combination to put away a forehand winner.

Berrettini drifts long and then Murray hangs in the next point, before Berrettini nets!

Suddenly there’s a huge point at 30-30. Ace from Berrettini. Just like that.

And another huge bomb out wide from Berrettini. Murray can only get a racquet on it.

We’re heading to a tiebreak.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 5-6 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:27 , Jamie Braidwood

An ace from Murray to start, but then he switches off as Berrettini’s slice catches the back of the line. Murray seemed to stop.

But he repsonds with another big serve down the middle. Berrettini can’t reply, and then he goes long on the next return.

Another first serve from Murray. Berrettini nets, and it means Murray earns himself a tiebreak at least.

Berrettini must serve to stay in it again.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 5-5 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Huge pressure on Berrettini now as he looks to stay alive in this match - and he makes the perfect start with a powerful backhand winner down the line.

It’s tense on Rod Laver and Murray’s return on the Berrettini first serve finds the net, and the next one drifts long. A third big serve from Berrettini, out wide, earns the hold.

He responds to the pressure.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 4-5 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Wow - that’s a gorgeous backhand pass from Murray to get to 30-0, after he had put Berrettini in position.

Then he directs a lovely backhand up the line. Berrettini goes wide.

And the forehand winner seals the hold to love. Super play from Murray.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 4-4 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray has a look at a backhand down the line and nets, and Berrettini takes advantage as he whips a clean forehand winner down the line.

Big serve from Berrettini and then a lovely touch with the drop shot. Those were not coming off earlier.

We are into a third hour and there is nothing to split Murray and Berrettini in the fourth.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 3-4 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Super from Murray - skidding a backhand slice and then putting away a forehand winner down the line. The return from Berrettini stays in but the forehand errors are starting creep back in, and then Berrettini nets again after Murray defends well on the baseline!

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 3-3 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Simple stuff from Berrettini as the Italian holds to love, put away with a leaping volley at the net. Murray will get the new balls as he looks to edge back in front.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 2-3 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 06:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Just keep ticking. The level from both players has dropped at the start of the fourth. Murray gets himself to 40-15 on serve and gets away with it a little bit to get the hold. He dropped Berrettini before just doing enough with the lob, which Berrettini nets on the stretch.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 2-2 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:57 , Jamie Braidwood

For the second Berrettini game in a row, Murray grinds his way to 30-30, but the Italian wins the next point to get out of trouble. Murray looked frustrated at his return on the serve at 30-30, which drifted long, before Berrettini put him away. Murray is getting chances though.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 1-2 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:51 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s a really nice hold from Andy Murray, putting away a strong volley at the net and winning a good exchange. Berrettini then nets a simple forehand return.

Murray just needs to keep ticking that scoreboard and get Berrettini sweating.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 1-1 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini produces a big serve out wide and forehand winner when facing a tricky spot at 30-30. Berrettini then sends Murray the wrong way again with a forehand winner out wide. The Italian has tightened up the serve and forehand since the early stages of the third set.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 0-1 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:42 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini makes a huge statement with the opening two points of the Murray serve. He puts away a volley at the net with authority and moves to 0-30,

But then Berrettini pushes a return wide, and then nets on the backhand.

Super point! Murray had Berrettini chasing but the Italian showed great defence! Then Murray skips a backhand slice into the corner, and Berrettini goes long!

And Murray gets out of trouble! A brilliant backhand down low from Murray sees Berrettini unable to pick it up.

Big hold in the opening game.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 6-4 Murray* - Berrettini wins the third set

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray has a chance at 15-15 after pinning Berrettini back well, but he nets on the volley as he looked to put the point away.

Murray then nets on the Berrettini serve and the Italian has two set points to get back into this match.

Big serve from Berrettini. The forehand from Murray goes long.

There’s a roar from Berrettini and he is now hunting a comeback.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 5-4 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini moves a game away from the third set. The Italian’s forehand looks to be somewhat back to its full capacity, and he’s started to tighten down on the errors too. Murray rattles out a hold to love with a forehand winner, so Berrettini will serve for the set next.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 4-3 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray replies with a hold of his own, though.

Feels like both players are taking a break after lengthy service games earlier in the set.

Two holds for Berrettini and the third set is his.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 4-2 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini holds to love - just what you need after breaking. Murray needs to turn the momentum back in his favour.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 3-2 Murray - Berrettini breaks

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:16 , Jamie Braidwood

A gift from Berrettini as the Italian puts a forehand into the net at 0-15 on the Murray serve.

Someone in the crowd is whistling as Murray serves at 30-15, and Berrettini steps on the second serve and crushes the forehand winner down the line.

Murray looks angry at that, and then Berrettini produces the sliding backhand winner down the line as Murray advanced to move to break point!

Murray targets the Berrettini backhand, the Italian holds on, and then Murray goes wide looking for the forehand up the line.

Berrettini finds his first break of the match - could be a big moment.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 2-2 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Two further errors from Berrettini sees Murray move to 30-30 on the Italian’s serve.

Berrettini powers a forehand but then the 25-year-old sees a forehand drift long, and then Murray’s return forces Berrettini into another error!

Break point! But Berrettini pressured Murray on the forehand side, and the Briton nets on the sliced forehand.

But then Murray snaps at the Berrettini serve again - another break point. The return from Murray off Berrettini’s first serve just drifts long.

Murray had a chance on the running backhand but steers wide, as Berrettini then crashes another forehand error into the net - his 17th of the match so far!

But Berrettini holds. The serve gets him out of it on two consecutive points. Chance for Murray, but both players have now saved break point in this set.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 1-2 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 05:00 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s sweet from Murray, who draws Berrettini in before hitting him with a backhand pass to move to 30-0.

But Berrettini responds well to get back to 30-30. Murray hits a good first serve but then nets when he had the chance to put away the drive volley!

A rare mistake so far from Murray, and a break point chance for Berrettini.

But Murray finds the first serve down the middle! Berrettini nets.

Another big serve from Murray, and this time he finds the smash!

Berrettini hangs in with a smart, driven return, back to deuce.

Murray takes contol with another good combination. Another smash.

But Berrettini produces a big forehand winner off the Murray second serve. Not done yet.

Berrettini nets - a gift - and from there Murray takes the hold. Brilliant from Murray.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 1-1 Murray*

Tuesday 17 January 2023 04:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Berrettini manages to do what he failed at in the first two sets, which is holding his opening service. Murray had a chance after closing a Berrettini drop shot, but he finds the net on the forehand flick.

Australian Open 2023: *Berrettini 3-6 3-6 0-1 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 04:50 , Jamie Braidwood

“Let’s go”, says Murray as the return from Berrettini drifts long and he takes the opening hold. Murray has not beaten a top-20 player at a grand slam since the French Open in 2017, but he is a set away from doing that here.

*denotes next server

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 04:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray has been very impressive so far but will be ready for a response from Berrettini, who has been off his game. Both players return to the court after taking a break following the second set, and Murray starts with an ace.

Australian Open 2023: Berrettini 3-6 3-6 Murray

Tuesday 17 January 2023 04:42 , Jamie Braidwood

Well, well, look at that scoreline! Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Australian Open, where Andy Murray has moved two sets up on Matteo Berrettini under the roof on Rod Laver Arena.