Australian duo ends Murray Brothers’ run in Andy’s last Wimbledon
Rinky Hijikata and John Peers have beaten Andy and Jamie Murray; Thanasi Kokkinakis forced to retire mid-match following slip.
Early evening in London, with Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins in the Royal Box and Novak Djokovic sitting courtside, the Australian duo of Rinky Hijikata and John Peers have beaten Andy Murray and Jamie Murray in Andy’s last Wimbledon.
The stands were packed. Patrons roared for the Murray brothers but Hijikata and Peers silenced the masses in a polished 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 win. “It’s very special for us but today was all about Andy and the great champion he is,” Hijikata said. “It was an absolute honour to step out on the court with him.”
Murray received a standing ovation before and after the match. He shed tears following a video tribute. “I’m glad we were able to get out here and do this,” he said. “It’s hard because I’d love to keep playing. But I can’t. Physically, it’s too tough now. I want to lay forever. I love the sport. It’s taught me loads of lessons I can use for the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop, so it’s hard.”
Earlier, heartbreak for Thanasi Kokkinakis. A day after producing some of the finest tennis of his life to beat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, he’s been forced to retire from his second-round match after slipping and injuring his knee, cruelly ending his chance to lock horns with fellow Australian Alex de Minaur at the All England Club.
Kokkinakis has cut a dejected figure while hobbling back to the locker room. In the third set against Lucas Pouille, he twisted his left knee, yelped in pain, received a medical timeout and had the knee heavily strapped. He played two more points but could barely run, withdrawing at 6-2, 5-7, 2-5. Head down and wiping his eyes, he was inconsolable.
Alexei Popyrin fared better, beating 30th-seeded Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to book a date with seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, who looked vulnerable and received an almighty scare from Scotsman Jacob Fearnley before prevailing 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. Djokovic had knee surgery a month ago and when Fearnley was just two points away from winning the fourth set, the possibility of a major upset was brewing.
With his right knee protected by a thick sleeve, Djokovic didn’t always chase wide balls, missed a few of his normally pinpoint groundstrokes by the proverbial mile and occasionally lost balance when pushing off his bad leg. He was subdued upon winning, remaining stoney-faced instead of celebrating before applauding his gallant opponent. Djokovic’s normally quick and agile athleticism is mildly compromised and Popyrin may fancy his chances.
“I’d never seen him play so there is always the element of surprise,” Djokovic said. “He had nothing to lose and served well. I was a little lucky in the fourth set. I could have won the match in three and it could have gone to a fifth. The way he was playing, I’m glad it didn’t. I didn’t really feel comfortable in my own skin in the third and fourth sets but sometimes you have rough days when you don’t feel your best. It’s a win and I’ll take it.”
Popyrin smacked 65 winners, including 17 aces, to oust Etcheverry in three hours and 58 minutes. “I was twice a set down but at no point was I short of confidence,” Popyrin said. “I was the one dictating. I was the one in control of the points, so I was the one in control of how the match went. At no point was I stressed that I’d lose the match. It’s no secret that grass hasn’t been my favourite surface but I think this year, it’s the most comfortable I’ve felt on the grass in my whole career. Movement-wise, playing- wise, I feel like I know what I’m doing out there. It’s going to be fun if it His match against Djokovic) is on Centre Court. Hopefully it is, because I really want to experience that.”
Ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur made light work of Spain’s Juame Munar, winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-5. “This is always the surface I’ve enjoyed playing on, it’s special to play at Wimbledon and hopefully I can go deep into the tournament now,” de Minaur said ahead of his clash with Pouille on Saturday.
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