Andy Murray ‘carried through dark places’ in Wimbledon win over Oscar Otte

Andy Murray defeats Oscar Otte in five sets at Wimbledon

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Andy Murray was ‘carried through some dark places’ in his win over Oscar Otte at Wimbledon, according to BBC Sport commentator Andrew Cotter. The Brit won 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to book his place in the third round of the competition. And it was a match for the ages, with the Centre Court crowd loving every moment.

Murray has had to overcome injury issues in recent years, undergoing a hip operation that put his career under threat.

But, now back at Wimbledon, the Brit is delivering some blockbuster moments.

Days after a tricky win over Nikoloz Basilashvili, he saw off Otte on a night where Centre Court rallied behind him.

And BBC Sport commentator Cotter believes the Wimbledon crowd carried Murray through some ‘dark places’ during the contest.

“A familiar thank you to the fans and they have scarcely deserved it as much as they deserve it tonight,” he said.

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“They carried him along in some pretty dark places during that match.

“What a night. Again.”

Murray cut a loud and fired up figure on Centre Court throughout the match, giving everything to keep his hopes of glory alive.

And he’ll now go up against 10th seed Denis Shapovalov, who was given a bye after an injury to Pablo Andujar.

Speaking after the match, Murray said: “I enjoyed the end.

“The middle part not so much. What an atmosphere to play in at the end.

“The whole crowd is amazing but there are a few guys in there that are getting me fired up. I needed everyone’s help tonight. They did a great job.

“I hit some great shots to finish it but it was a tough match.”

He also added: “I had to do something differently. I started going for my shots more, dictating more points. I was being a little bit negative.

“I think I played the right way the last couple of sets. The first set and a half was good. It’s the bit in the middle I’d like to change.”

Otte, meanwhile, hailed Murray as his ‘icon’ – and revealed what the Scot told him after their epic showdown in the capital.

“He actually said if I keep on playing like this… he said keep on working like this, keep on playing like this. Then the results will come,” he said.

“I said thanks, and was great to play him.

“I told him he’s my icon. For me, he’s the best ever. I just enjoyed to play against him.”

Otte also admitted that players such as Murray and Roger Federer had inspired him throughout his career so far, saying: “That’s why I started playing tennis.

“So many years ago Andy and Roger were already playing. I was just watching them in the TV.

“Now I was able to play against these guys on the big stage.

“That’s what you’re working for every day at home and on the tournaments, with your team, with your family and everything.

“Just getting so much positive energy for the future, and it’s just huge motivation.”

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