Battle of the Brits 2022: Andy Murray beats Jack Draper after Dan Evans wins opener

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Andy MurrayImage source, Getty Images
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Andy Murray battled back from 6-3 down in the deciding tie-break to beat Jack Draper

Battle of the Brits

Venue: P&J Arena, Aberdeen Dates: Wednesday 21 December - Thursday 22 December

Coverage: Watch live coverage of Thursday's play from 12:35 GMT on the red button, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app

Andy Murray says there is "still great tennis" in him after rolling back the years to beat England's Jack Draper at the Battle of the Brits exhibition.

The 35-year-old claimed a 6-2 1-6 12-10 victory for Team Scotland in Aberdeen after England's Dan Evans had won the opening rubber.

Draper, 20, took the momentum into the 10-point tie break but Murray turned the tide with some trademark hustle.

"While I am still able to do it, this is what it is all about," he said.

"Will to win, fighting for every point, chasing every ball down. It was part luck, part skill."

Draper has emerged as one of the most talented young players on the ATP Tour, climbing into the world's top 50 this year and now ranked above three-time major champion Murray.

But the former world number one channelled the fervent home support to break Draper three times in the opening set and then clinch victory in the match tie-break.

Draper opened a 6-3 lead before Murray switched momentum after reaching a ball out wide to force a backhand winner down the line.

The Scot surfed the wave of support to level and eventually claimed victory on a third match point with a stunning forehand winner.

"There's still great tennis in me. I need to still find that consistency but in terms of the stuff I was producing in comparison to the last six months - it's really positive," Murray told BBC Scotland.

"There's lots to look forward to and I need to keep building on this and keep working hard."

'We have a lot to thank Jamie Murray for' - Evans

Evans, 32, had put the English team in the driving seat, taking the opening rubber with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Scotland's 373rd-ranked Aidan McHugh.

The world number 27 repeated the two-set victory he enjoyed in his only previous meeting against the 22-year-old Glaswegian at the inaugural Battle of the Brits tournament in 2020.

Evans thanked tournament director Jamie Murray for setting up the event - the Scot staged the first two Battle of the Brits meetings during lockdown, without spectators, at a time when the regular tennis tours had been halted.

"We have a lot to thank him [Jamie Murray] for," said the Birmingham-born player. "He really looked after us back during Covid.

"I had a big chance to come and do it in front of the public and it wasn't even a choice really.

"All the players were always going to come. He has done an amazing job basically selling this place out, so thanks so much to Jamie. It's an amazing event and I look forward to playing in many more."

Evans has one more singles match to play, against Andy Murray, in the afternoon session on Thursday.

The Battle of the Brits - between Team Scotland and Team England - involves four men's singles and two men's doubles matches spread over two days, from Wednesday to Thursday, 21-22 December.

As well as playing Evans, Andy Murray is set to partner brother Jamie in a doubles match, potentially for the final time in their careers, to close the tournament on Thursday evening.

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