Andy Murray rekindles Wimbledon love affair in thrilling five-set win against Oscar Otte

Wimbledon day two: Highlights from SW19

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Andy Murray has now announced himself back on the Grand Slam stage after a dramatic comeback victory over Oscar Otta in the second round of Wimbledon. Murray has continued to struggle with injury issues over the past year and has barely played any competitive tennis over the past six months.

His sole aim was to be fit in time for Wimbledon to compete in his first men’s singles event at SW19 since 2017.

Back then, Murray was the defending Wimbledon champion before losing to Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals.

But since then, the former British No 1 has gone through the ringer with an abate of injury problems which have seen him even consider retirement.

Murray battled back from hip resurfacing surgery and groin issues though and made a strong start to life back at the All England Club.

Nikoloz Basilashvili is one of the most well-travelled stars on the ATP Tour this calendar year and came into the tournament as the No 24 seed.

However, Murray put in a strong performance to see off the Georgian tennis star and progress to the second round.

Otte possessed a different threat and on paper should have been an easier challenge.

The German is ranked lower than Murray on the ATP Tour, but for the two-time Wimbledon champion he’s still trying to overcome fitness questions at Grand Slam level.

It looked as though Murray was going to have a straight forward result as well after the first set, racing to an early lead.

But in a far from vintage display, the three-time Grand Slam champion dropped his head and his performance as Otte came back into the match to take a 2-1 lead after the third set.

The pressure was then on Murray to mount a comeback and do what he’s only done once since undergoing surgery after the 2019 Australian Open – win a five-set match.

With the roof closed on Centre Court, the noice inside the arena turned up a notch as the fans got behind the British sporting icon.

That appeared to rally Murray as he continued to rev up the crowd with his trademark fist pumps and he eventually forced through a deciding set.

With momentum and the crowd support behind him once again at Centre Court, Murray seemed unbeatable.

Question marks over his fitness levels soon dissipated as he raised his game just enough to see off the challenge from Otte in a memorable night at Wimbledon.

He may not be at the same level he was back in 2016 when he lifted his second Wimbledon title.

But it’s clear the 34-year-old has exactly the same passion and desire to compete at the highest level.

And, in reaching the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017, Murray will only build in confidence that he still very much belongs on the main stage.

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