Andy Murray has advanced into the next round of the Australian Open after an epic five-set battle over number 13 seed Matteo Berrettini.
The Scottish tennis star and world number 66 has been somewhat on the periphery of the sport for the past few years due to recurring injury problems but is eyeing up a comeback on this year’s tour, with an opening victory against last year’s semi-finalist going some way to putting a marker down.
It took the 35-year-old nearly five whole hours to see off his opponent, going on to win the match 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(10-6), dumping out arguably one of the outside favourites for the tournament behind the likes of Novak Djokovic, who also won on his Australian Open.
As he closed out his fifth and final set with an admittedly fortunate return which just glanced the net on its way over, it was plain to see how knackered the pair of pros were, each looking visibly exasperated as they walked off the court.
Lasting more than three times longer than the average match, the Rod Laver Arena was treated to a truly arduous back and forth, with Murray dropping his third and fourth sets to push the game into a tough-going fifth-set tie-break.
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With nearly a full decade between them, 26-year-old Berrettini certainly gave him a run for his money and despite commanding the opening two sets, the former world number one had to fight his way back in, managing to keep enough of a foothold to stay in the contest.
Impressive points like this certainly helped. Talk about rolling back the years.
Murray took to Twitter shortly after the gruelling ordeal, writing: “Thanks to everyone for all the kind messages. We left it all out there. Hope you enjoyed the show.”
Not only was this his first win against a top 20 opponent in almost six years — the previous coming against then-number nine-ranked Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals of the French Open — it was also his biggest scalps since his two hip surgeries.
Looking back to 2019, Murray recently admitted that he was close to calling it quits altogether and is still “one big injury away from retirement“, joking that his diving volley during Tuesday’s match might not have been the best idea either. Nevertheless, the British hopeful clearly isn’t going down without a fight.
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Now with a metal hip following his most recent ‘resurfacing’ surgery, not to mention being strapped in ankle supports, Murray cut a shade of the bionic man at times but admitted that he was “unbelievably proud” of his comeback following so many injuries.
He went on to confess that he’s questioned himself in recent years, adding that “there’s certainly a lot of people questioned [his] ability” and “whether [he] could still perform at the biggest events and the biggest matches”.
However, he ultimately conceded and gave himself a rare pat on the back while speaking to reporters: “I was impressed with myself, which again is not something I often do. I’m hard on myself usually.”
Against all odds, he continues to fight his way back onto the court no matter the physical obstacles; a graceful Berrettini went so far as to call him a “gladiator”.
The UK roster is already one lighter in the Open after Emma Raducanu sadly existed the ASB Classic in New Zealand with yet another injury of her own, so those watching at home will be hoping their five-time runner-up goes far again this year.
Featured Image — Roland-Garros (via Twitter)/Australian Open (via IG)
Sport
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City has opened the doors to its new Trafford Centre store just in time for the Black Friday shopping frenzy.
The club has launched the brand-new store in collaboration with retail partner Stichd.
The Manchester City store offers fans a bespoke City shopping experience, including this season’s PUMA kits, the Christmas collection (with a £5 donation to City in the Community (CITC) with specific products), and shirt printing.
Shoppers will be able to browse a range of sky blue shirts, hats, scarves, and gloves, as well as soft toys, mugs, and other collectibles.
There’s already a City store in the Manchester Arndale, which opened a couple of years ago, but its arrival at the Trafford Centre is a new development.
Other existing stores include sites in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, New York City, Seoul and Shenzhen.
Serena Gosling, Director of Retail and Licensing at Manchester City, said: “We’re proud to reveal our latest City Store in the iconic Trafford Centre, Manchester – our third location within the city.
“It provides another touchpoint for fans to interact with the club – at a venue that is a shopping favourite within the North West.
“We know the Trafford Centre attracts huge numbers of local shoppers, and tourists, so we are sure our newest store will provide a convenient location for fans, and of course, at this festive time of year, for those buying presents.
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre. Credit: The Manc Group
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the store.”
Will Rodnight, Head of Physical Retail, stichd, said: “We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Manchester City through the opening of this third City store in Manchester at the Trafford Centre.
“Our goal is to create an exceptional retail experience that reflects the passion of City fans. This new location adds another fantastic opportunity to connect with supporters in one of the UK’s most iconic shopping destinations, and we can’t wait to welcome them.”
Kate Pearson, Portfolio Leasing Director at Pradera Lateral – Trafford Centre’s Asset Managers, added: “We look forward to welcoming the new City Store to Trafford Centre. This bespoke new retail offering complements our current sportswear retailers whilst also adding a personalised experience for their supporters. We are excited to see their success once the doors open.”
Oasis and adidas drop yet more new merch in the Live ’25 collection
Danny Jones
The Oasis and adidas love affair isn’t over just yet; it isn’t going anywhere, as the legendary Manc band group and global sports apparel franchise are releasing another batch of merch as part of the smash-hit Live ’25 collection.
After shirts, shoes, jackets and bucket hats galore sold out all over the world, adidas is now toasting not only the end of the reunion world tour but “the year that was Oasis” with a second drop in the already iconic crossover.
If you passed through Manchester at all during their Heaton Park homecoming run, you will have no doubt seen countless examples of the ‘adidas Originals x Oasis’ football shirt collaboration alone, not to mention several other bits of fashion in the official Live ’25 fashion line.
Now, just in time for Christmas, there’s a whole new set being introduced into the range of casual wear.
Simply titled ‘Oasis Live ‘25 Drop 2’, the latest additions to the adidas Originals collection are releasing next month and, obviously, will be sold in stores and online.
While the pop-up stores that opened up here in the city centre all over have now shut up shop, Greater Manchester’s adidas locations on Market Street – which turned into an Oasis fan paradise this past summer – and Pear Mill in Stockport will still be stocking the various bits of Britpop clobber.
Although the most recent items will be exclusively available domestically for now, they will be rolled out overseas in 2026.
Considering how quickly most of it sold out last time, you can guarantee most of the options to fly off the shelves just as fast here in the UK.
Honestly, we’ve only just managed to get our hands on the standard black ‘jacquard jersey’.
As you can see, a good chunk of the second drop is that same footy shirt in different colours and other tees in different lengths/variations.
Scheduled to launch on Friday, 12 December, the ‘Oasis x adidas Originals Live ‘25 Drop 2’ will go on sale at 9am sharpish, so you’d best get ready for a scrap in that digital queue.
Naturally, fans, fashionistas and collectors can expect virtually identical costs for the majority of pieces (and buying in-person will obviously help keep the cost down), though it does look like some price points have been adjusted.
As for the Live ’25 tour itself, now that the dust has settled on the ‘Oasis Mania‘ take two, Liam himself has taken to social media to express his gratitude in the most Gallagher way possible…
Danny Jones -
17th January 2023 
