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Australian Open: Andy Murray beats Nikoloz Basilashvili in Melbourne

Australian Open: Andy Murray beats Nikoloz Basilashvili in Melbourne

BBC Sport

Britain's Andy Murray marked his return to the Australian Open - where in 2019 he thought he might have to retire - with a tense five-set win over Georgian 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Murray cruised to the first set in 23 minutes but any hopes of a routine win disappeared as Basilashvili recovered.

Momentum swung both ways before Murray, 34, won 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.

The former world number one is the second Briton through to round two after Heather Watson also won.

Emma Raducanu, Dan Evans and Liam Broady play later on Tuesday.

Murray is the first British man to win in Melbourne this year after top-ranked Cameron Norrie suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of America's rising star Sebastian Korda on day one.

Murray, a five-time beaten finalist in Melbourne, will play Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the second round on Thursday.