Paris (AFP)

In a match in the image of his career, Andy Murray has shown strength to overthrow Stanislaw Wawrinka in three sets (3-6, 6-4, 6-4) and afford his first tournament since March 2017 , Sunday in Antwerp.

Sunday in the early evening, time has stopped for Andy Murray. The Scotsman holds his head in his arms. He has just won at the age of 32 the 46th title of his career. But much more than a title, Murray has managed to overcome his physical problems to return to his level, after months of hardship, by overcoming a world top: Stan Wawrinka.

Murray-Wawrinka, a ghost duel between two triple Grand Slam winners, between ex-number 1 (Murray) and ex-world number 3 (Wawkrinka), who had not won since 2017. Murray stayed on a victory in Dubai in March of that year. Wawrinka in Geneva in May. Since then, injuries to Murray's hip and knee to Wawrinka had jeopardized their career.

Sunday, on this old tube brought up to date, it is finally the British who danced best during the 2 hours and 27 minutes of a stunning waltz.

In the first set, however, the gap at first seemed too big between Murray, current 243rd world player, and Wawrinka, 18th in the ATP rankings. With an entry break, Wawrinka quietly flew to the first run.

- Awesome Murray -

Logic because, in the game, there was no picture between the Swiss in place, sure of his shots, and the Scottish too often out of season. A situation that held until these two 4-1 balls in the second set for Wawrinka, saved by Murray, on the notch.

Returning to the circuit for four months after a new hip operation in January, Murray was amazed by his state of mind and form.

The Scotsman, more comfortable, more confident and successful in particular on his services, broke in the wake to pick up at 3-3 before equalizing a set everywhere.

What revive old games in four or five sets in Grand Slam. The third round? A succession of breaks, a battle worthy of the poster between these two behemoths of the circuit, who have dismissed in the semifinals youth (Ugo Imbert for Murray, Jannik Sinner for Wawrinka).

With a better break than his opponent (3 against 2) in this third round, Murray has returned to his story. He who announced the very likely end of his career in January, returns to the front of the stage.

What's dreaming of a return to the forefront for 2020, the year of the Olympic Games? There is only one step for the double Olympic champion.

© 2019 AFP