‘Painful Stuff’: Andy Murray on Crowd Impersonating Cristiano Ronaldo During Rollercoaster Australian Open 2022 R1

Andy Murray has done it again. The former world no.1, who has been generating top-tier upsets since last season had produced yet another memorable performance to defeat Nikoloz Basilashvili in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open. Having made his entry into the ‘happy slam’ for the first time since his 2019 defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut, Murray continued his fighting spirit and defeated the Georgian.

In a see-saw battle between two tough competitors, fans at John Cain Arena in Melbourne got their bucks worth as they kept cheering throughout the contest. With Basilashvili firing forehand winners, Murray’s defense stood tall once again as the Brit crossed the finish line.

Talking about the match in the on-court interview, Murray reminisced his past battle with Roberto Bautista Agut.

“I’ve played on this court many times, & the atmosphere’s incredible, I’ve always had fantastic support. And this is the one I thought I’d potentially played my last match on 3 years ago. “Amazing to be back, winning a 5-set battle like that. Couldn’t ask for any more.”

In this dramatic encounter involving fans, few of them started shouting “siuuu”- Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration. Murray thought that he was being booed by the crowd as he reacted, ““Painful stuff there. Those guys…”

During the on-court interview, the 2016 Wimbledon champion also talked about the crowds and what it meant for him to have a packed house today at John Cain Arena.

“Last year, when we came back to play, we played with no fans in the stadium. It was tough. Not a lots of fun. We train and practice to allow us to play and compete in atmospheres like these, on courts like these, to entertain you guys to perform in front of you”.

Twitter reacts to the heroics of Andy Murray at the 2022 Australian Open

With Andy registering yet another memorable victory, Twitter erupted with fans and fellow tennis players appreciating the legend for this mammoth effort.

Brother Jamie Murray tweeted, “Come Onnnnnnnnn!! @andy_murray Such a tough battle. Amazing effort to come thru and get the W!”

Former American tennis player James Blake also congratulated Murray on winning the opening round match against Basilashvili.

“@Andy_murray. what a competitor. Congrats. Fun to watch.”

Andy’s mother Judy also reacted to Jamie’s congratulatory message.

With this victory, the Brit will also have be looking at a two-digit ranking on the ATP tour for the first time in three years.

Along with tennis players, fans adored Murray’s match and praised the star for putting up a stellar performance.

One fan celebrated Murray’s entry into the top-100 of ATP live-rankings.

It was a tremendous effort from one of the best fighters on a tennis court as Andy Murray survived Basilashvili’s scare and progressed to the second round of the Australian Open.

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