Andy Murray remarkably extended his tennis career for at least another game after a scarcely believable victory with partner Dan Evans at the Olympics.
The British pair looked certain to be heading out in the first round in Paris after losing the first set 6-2 to their little-known Japanese opponents Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel, before they were also 4-2 down in the second set.
But, as he has done multiple times throughout his glittering career, Murray – who announced he would retire after the Olympics – summoned all of his heart and bravery as they fought back to win the set 7-6 (7-5).
This sent the match to a 10-point champions tie-break to settle the tie and the Brits found themselves 9-4 down and again staring down the barrel.
Yet, they saved five match points in a row before then winning a further two to triumph and ensure Murray – who pulled out of the singles on Thursday – would have at least one more game of tennis before retiring.
Andy Murray remarkably extended his tennis career for at least another game after a stunning victory with partner Dan Evans in the first round at the Olympics in Paris on Sunday night
British pair Evans and Murray saved five match points before triumphing in dramatic fashion
Their victory beggared belief and sparked jubilant scenes among a buoyant, if sparse crowd, at Roland Garros as Evans and Murray looked at each other in shock.
Murray fans then whooped with delight after seeing their hero came back from the dead to resurrect his career.
Quentin Milner, 60, from Exeter, said: ‘He is such an amazing tennis player and a wonderful sportsman
‘Andy has bought so much joy to our country and to the world, it would’ve been so very sad if he had gone out in front of this very small crowd.
‘I’m ecstatic that he will play again. Nobody wants to see the end of Andy Murray’s career, but I suppose he has made his mind up that it will be this week.’
His wife Georgia added: ‘They should have put his game on earlier and they would’ve been a proper crowd to recognise for a wonderful tennis player he has been. But I’m so happy that it is not over tonight.’
Alicia Morgan-Mace, 28, from Watford, said: ‘My heart was almost out of my body when the Japanese were for five points ahead with only only one more point to win.
‘But that is Andy Murray for you. He just never gives up. Ever.’
Trainee lawyer Sophie Wakefield from Esher said: ‘What a comeback. 9-4 down. Breathtaking. They are dark horses and they stand a chance. Keep fighting like that anything is possible. ‘
It ensures Murray – who will retire after the Olympics – will play at least one more game
It all looked set to be a sad ending to Murray’s career before the dramatic fightback
Murray was so thrilled that he stripped off his Team GB shirt and gave it to a fan after emerging again to thank the pockets of supporters who remained
Murray’s devoted mother Judy was at court side and she looked on in pride. But within 30 minutes of the clash her son was halfway to retirement with the loss of the first set 2-6, and even she had doubts about the 37-year-old.
‘I was mentally working out which flight I would get home tonight,’ she later told BBC Sport.
‘But you can never write him off.’
Murray has clearly enjoyed the experience of being part of Team GB again, taking part in the opening ceremony and being a celebrity in the Athletes’ Village, but for a set and a half there was little enjoyable about this match.
He received an enthusiastic welcome when he strode onto Court Suzanne Lenglen, Roland Garros’ second arena, behind Evans but the stands stayed stubbornly half full at best, with the personal significance of the occasion a little lost amid the wider context of the Games.
Murray and Evans had both talked up their chances, and both have had success in doubles in Davis Cup, but they looked from the start like two men not used to playing together or in the format.
Veteran Nishikori, beaten by Jack Draper in the singles earlier, has barely played in recent years and Daniel is a solid but unspectacular singles player, so this could hardly be said to have been a tough draw.
Murray and Evans defeated the little-known Japanese pairing of Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel
Murray kept his hopes alive of a fairytale ending to his career after the improbable rescue act
But the Japanese were sharper in every element and won seven games in a row to lead 2-0 in the second set before the British pair finally gained a foothold.
Murray and Evans celebrated every point won with fist pumps and cheers, and they dug in grimly, twice breaking the Nishikori serve to draw level at 4-4.
Murray roared ‘Let’s go’ when he finally held serve for the first time since the opening game to put them within touching distance of a deciding tie-break, which is played instead of a third set at the Olympics.
They duly set up a nail-biting finale by finding some of their best tennis in the second-set breaker but it looked to have got away from them only for Murray and Evans somehow to hang on to ensure the two-time Wimbledon and one-time US Open champion maintained his chances of a fairytale ending to his career.
