Australian Open 2023 LIVE: Andy Murray defeats Matteo Berrettini in epic fifth-set tiebreak – reaction

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

Andy Murray wins epic match 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6)

Matteo Berrettini levels match against Andy Murray in dramatic fourth-set tiebreak

Berrettini wins third set to pull one back against Murray

Murray takes two-set lead over Berrettini under the roof on Rod Laver Arena

Play on ground courts suspended due to heat in Melbourne

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

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.”

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

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

08:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Story continues

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

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

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

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*

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

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*

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

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*

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

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*

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.

(Getty Images)

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

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*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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*

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

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*

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

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*

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

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.

(Getty Images)

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

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

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*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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*

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

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*

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

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

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

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.