The unique scoring system of tennis means that no one can predict the final outcome of a match until the final point is over, and even the side that is behind by a large margin can successfully come back and emerge victorious, as has been proven time and time again this season. As we continue to reflect on the 2023 season, the ATP website has taken a look at some of the most gripping and thrilling comeback-winning matches on the ATP Tour this year.
Fifth place: the first round of the China Open, the first round of the Masters in Paris, De Minaur vs. Murray
Over the course of a month, De Minaur trailed Murray 2-5 in the deciding set of two matches: first at the China Open and second at the Paris Masters. The Australian's never-say-die attitude helped him save four match points in two matches, rewriting his six-game record against Murray to six wins and zero defeats, including four wins this season (along with Monte Carlo and the Queen's Cup).
In the first round of the Chinese Open against Murray, De Minaur saved two match points after falling behind 2-5 in the deciding set. He saved another match point in the decisive tie-break to win 6-3 5-7 7-6(6). In what Australians have dubbed "Scrap Metal", both fighters have struggled to stay in top shape. De Minaur did his best and crossed the finish line first after 2 hours and 53 minutes.
Four weeks later, a similar situation occurred at the Paris Masters. This time, De Minaur saved a match point to win five games in a row after being broken twice in the deciding set and down 2-5 to win another 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5 victory over Murray.
4th place: Indian Wells 4th round, Ariassime vs. Paul 3-6 6-3 7-6(6)
In the fourth round at Indian Wells, Aliassime saved six match points to defeat homegrown Tommy Paul to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 for the sixth time in a row.
The Canadians were on the trailing side throughout the match, losing the first set 3-6. After falling behind 0-3 in the deciding set, he began to catch up and gradually recovered the score to make it 3-3. At the end of the set, he saved three match points twice in a row: the first, in a desperate situation of facing three consecutive match points at 5-6, 0-40, Aliassim's serve helped him get out of trouble, and he scored five points in a row to go into a tie-break. With three match points in a row at 3-6 in the tie-break, the No. 8 seed went on another five-point winning streak to secure a place in the quarterfinals at midnight.
3rd place: Munich final, Rune vs. Van der Zandschup 6-4 1-6 7-6(3)
Rune overcame an unfavourable situation of an arm injury and a sprained ankle to successfully defend his title in Munich. The exhausted Dane trailed 2-5 in the deciding set with a right arm injury, while Van der Zandschup secured his first two match points at 40-15.
During several long rounds of tug-of-war, Rune struggled to break through, only to sprain his ankle again in the latter stages of the race. After levelling the score at 5-5, Rune was broken again, giving his Dutch rival a third chance to finish the match. But after he saved two more match points, the defending champion managed to break back, boosting his confidence in the deciding set. In the final moments of the tie-break, Rune quickly ended the fight with a clean shot to claim his fourth career tour singles title.
2nd place: Kitzbühel 2nd round, Morkan vs. Ofner 4-6 7-5 7-6(5)
Molcan saved two match points to win nine games in a row after losing the first set and trailing 5-0 in the second set, not only winning the second set, but also taking a 2-0 lead in the deciding set, turning the midweek regular season into one of the craziest matches on the ATP Tour.
The Austrian's frustration was understandable when Offner saw his sure win turn out to be like this. But Ofner regained his form, winning three games in a row to make it 3-2 and later saving a break point to level the score at 6-5. Then came Molcan's showtime, with the Slovak holding serve and seizing his chance in the tie-break to win the match hard.
1st place: Doha, Murray saved 8 match points to reach the final
At the ATP 250 Qatar Open, Murray, a wildcard player, won four straight matches to reach the final, his first ATP Tour final since 2019. The four games leading to the finals can be said to be marathon reversals. In the first round against Spaniard Sonego, Murray saved three match points at 4-5 in the deciding set and won seven of the final eight points of the match after trailing 0-3 in the tie-break.
This was followed by a three-hour battle with Zverev. Although Murray didn't need to face match point this time, he came within two points of defeat twice in the deciding set to eventually eliminate the German 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-5. In the quarter-finals, the Englishman came back again from behind Muller to reach the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals against Czech rising star Lehecka, Murray got off to a red-hot start and won the first set 6-0. But when Lehecka won the second set, either side's hopes of a big win were dashed and they had to go to the deciding set. In the deciding set, the Czech's powerful play allowed him to come close to a famous victory with a 5-3 lead. But then Murray stubbornly saved five match points, including five in a row at 5-4 and 40-0, to reach the final with a hard-fought 6-0 3-6 7-6(6) victory, which Murray himself said was one of the most stunning comeback wins of his career. (Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)