Andy Murray triumphs over Berrettini at Australian Open

• Andy Murray beats Matteo Berrettini in five-set classic at AO.
• Russian and Belarusian flags banned from Melbourne Park.
• High temperatures cause most courts to be closed for three hours on day two.

Andy Murray turned back time to overcome 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in a five-set classic at the Australian Open on Tuesday, on a hot day that saw most courts closed for three hours.

On day two, however, there was controversy off the court since Russian and Belarusian flags were forbidden at Melbourne Park.

Following his suspension and expulsion last year, Novak Djokovic is scheduled to play in the Grand Slam later on Tuesday.

However, the 35-year-old Murray appeared to had the day in the bag as the British player saved match point to upset Italy’s Berrettini 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/6) in 4 hours and 49 minutes on Rod Laver Arena with the roof closed owing to the high heat.

“I’ll be feeling it this evening and tomorrow,” said the former world number one, who now plays with a metal hip after undergoing career-saving surgery.

“But right now, I’m ecstatic and proud of myself.

“I’ve worked hard with my team over the last six months to give myself this opportunity to perform in stadiums like this, matches like this, and against guys like Matteo — and it paid off tonight.”

“I did well to get through,” said the three-time major champion, who will face either Fabio Fognini or Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round.

In the men’s draw, Russia’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev defeated 2020 finalist Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit).

Thiem, the former US Open champion, was outplayed as he resumed his comeback from a wrist injury that kept him off the court for nine months in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

The heat caused the suspension of play on the outer courts as the temperature climbed. The roofs of the three main stadiums — Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena — were closed.

Three hours later, play resumed on the outer courts.

The men’s seeds, like the women’s, were mostly unaffected.

Dan Evans of the United Kingdom, Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, and Diego Schwartzman of Argentina all advanced to the second round.

Taylor Fritz of the United States defeated Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

Djokovic of Serbia was deported on the eve of last year’s Australian Open because to his position on Covid vaccinations.

However, the 35-year-old will be back in action in his opener against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain, and he is expected to receive a rousing ovation from the Rod Laver Arena audience.

He is attempting to win the Australian Open for the 10th time, tying incumbent winner Rafael Nadal’s men’s all-time record of 22 Grand Slam titles.

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