In an exhilarating showdown at the Paris Olympics, Andy Murray and his British doubles partner, Dan Evans, emerged victorious against Belgium’s Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen, securing their spot in the quarterfinals. The British duo, buoyed by a spirited British contingent on a warm, humid evening at Court Suzanne Lenglen, triumphed with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-7(8), 11-9.
Andy Murray and Dan Evans’s resilience was on full display as they overcame two match points in a nail-biting second set tiebreaker and rallied from a 9-7 deficit in the third set. Evans sealed the win with a decisive smash, prompting jubilant celebrations and leaving Murray visibly emotional. This victory follows their dramatic win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel, where they saved five consecutive match points in the final set.
At 37, Murray, a former world number one and three-time Grand Slam champion, plans to retire after these Olympics. However, his journey may end on a high note. “We’re getting close to something special,” said Evans. “I don’t think he wants to go home.”
Unlike their narrow escape in the previous round, Murray and Evans controlled much of Tuesday’s match, only to waver near the end. Yet, their determination shone through, providing a boost in confidence. “Winning matches like this builds belief,” Murray noted. The pair is set to face either the U.S. team of Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz or the Dutch duo Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer next.
