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Andy Murray held off a Matteo Berrettini fightback to win a special five-set thriller in the opening round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
The five-time runner-up in Melbourne saved a match point in a rollercoaster of a ride on Rod Laver Arena before sealing a famous 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (10-6) victory over the 13th seed.
Bidding to beat a top 20 player at a Grand Slam for the first time since his hip problems began in 2017, 35-year-old 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, allowing Murray to hold on and 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 win after four hours and 49 minutes.
"I'll be feeling this this evening and tomorrow but right now I'm just unbelievably happy and very proud of myself," said the 35-year-old.
"I've put a lot of work into the last three months with my team, to give me the opportunity to perform in stadiums like this and matches like this and it paid off tonight.