Gary O’Neil has said he expects Matheus Nunes to remain at Wolves beyond Friday’s transfer deadline day with Manchester City yet to lodge an improved offer for the Portugal international, who has stopped training in a bid to force through a move.
City last week saw a £47million bid rejected for the 25-year-old, who moved to Molineux for a club-record £38million last summer, and O’Neil said the champions were yet to return with a better offer.
“He’s not with the group at the moment, his choice,” O’Neil said. “After the bid from Manchester City he decided it was best for him to not to be with the group. Club policy and how we deal with things like that is set in place.
“As far as I’m aware there’s been no improved bid. Matheus Nunes is still our player, we have a long contract still with him and at this moment I fully expect him to be here come September 2.
“The next few days will be key of course and conversations will take place that will be private between me and Matheus and I’m sure the situation will be resolved.”
Speaking after watching a much-changed Wolves line-up brush aside League One Blackpool 5-0 to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup, O’Neil stopped short of criticising Nunes’ actions, saying he first needed to speak to the player.
“You never need (to stop training) but players do,” he said. “You’ve seen it all over the country, I’ve seen it when I was playing, we’ve seen it in recent transfer windows, I can think of one in January, and it won’t change how the club deals with any bids or any situation.
“He definitely didn’t (need to) and there is a way to deal with these things but I’ll keep most of my thoughts private for when I speak with Matheus.
“I will speak to him and there will be advisors and representatives and there’s a lot of things that go on – it’s too simplistic to say ‘he’s done this and we think that’. There’s a lot involved in situations like this.
“For me to try and answer in a press conference without Matheus for me to speak to about it and understand exactly where everything is is probably unfair…I’ll save my opinions until after I’ve spoken to him.”
Asked how easily Nunes would be reintegrated into the squad should he stay at Molineux, O’Neil said: “The conversation and our understanding of the situation will be the deciding factor. At this moment I don’t have enough information to make an accurate decision on it.”
Regardless of how the situation with Nunes plays out, Wolves go into the final few days of the transfer window with work to do. Daniel Podence is out of favour and seemingly on his way out, while Goncalo Guedes has returned to Benfica on loan – a move which frees up space on the wage bill.
“I’m excited because I’m still convinced that on September 2 the squad will be in a better place than it was last week,” O’Neil added. “I’m excited for the next few days…
“Does that mean there’s going to be loads of players arriving? Possibly, possibly not. But we’re as well prepared as we can be for the end of a transfer window where things can move quickly.”
Wolves saw off Blackpool with a brace from Matt Doherty, and goals from Sasa Kalajdzic, Fabio Silva, and debutant Nathan Fraser, leaving the Seasiders without a win or a goal in five matches.
“It was a difficult night against really good players, a good team,” Blackpool boss Neil Critchley said.
“Everything just seems to be going against us a little bit…But I can’t fault the players in the way they went about the game and they went after it.”
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut was delighted with his team’s 3-1 victory over Birmingham – and hopes he can bolster his defence before Friday’s transfer deadline.
The Bluebirds boss watched as his side scored through Rubin Colwill, Ryan Wintle and Zion Etete and saw Blues’ Lukas Jutkiewicz sent off midway through the second half.
They did so having made 10 changes to the side which beat Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend – and with a makeshift defence as Ebou Adams lined up alongside Perry Ng and full-back Mahlon Romeo.
“I am delighted because today we played without centre-backs, we created a back three with midfielders,” said Bulut.
“After the opponent was with 10 players we get a little bit relaxed and thought the game was finished. It is not finished, sometimes against 10 players it is more difficult.
“We need centre-backs, today we tried to create centre-backs. I hope at least one, maybe two centre-backs.
“I cannot see anything, wait until Friday then we will see some surprises – I hope.”
Blues counterpart John Eustace felt Jutkiewicz’s dismissal was the turning point.
“I thought it was very harsh from where I was, Jukey was pushed over at the start, he was rolling over then he has turned to try and get the ball and he has caught the lad on the back of the legs,” he said.
“It is a hard red card, it is something we will have to look at and see if we can appeal it. I will have to have a good look again tonight.
“I felt the first 20 minutes caused us a lot of problems, their shape, we couldn’t get used to that. The early goal certainly helps them as well.
“I thought we grew into the game, we got to grips with their shape, we were better with their press, were higher up the pitch. We need to be better in that final third with the decision-making.
“Coming into half-time we were positive, we tweaked a couple of things and I thought we started the second half quite well then obviously the red card just changes the game.”
Luton boss Rob Edwards knew the result was all that mattered as the Hatters went through to the third round of the Carabao Cup by beating League Two Gillingham at Kenilworth Road.
The hosts led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Jacob Brown and Alfie Doughty, before Jayden Clarke pulled one back early in the second period.
Cauley Woodrow then put Town 3-1 in front before Tom Nichols scored late on, only for Luton to hang on.
Edwards said: “We could only win by winning the game, the expectancy was obviously on us, it’s a little bit different to the last couple of games we’ve had, so I feel very pleased.
“We had quite a lot of changes, tweaked the shape a little bit, and I liked a lot of what I saw.
“It was a good start and I thought we built on it as well.
“We controlled pretty much all of the first half, going 2-0 up was great, a brilliant goal from Alfie and we spoke at half-time about the next goal.
“The next goal was really important and the game could really hinge on that.
“They got it, they probably had five or 10 minutes then when we had to deal with it, but we still looked OK.
“Cauley’s goal settled us down but then we controlled it again until the very last couple of minutes.
“There’s probably a reason we lacked a bit of fluency tonight, but there were a lot of good things I saw.”
Brown opened his Luton account after just two minutes with a low drive into the bottom corner, before Doughty hammered in a brilliant 25-yarder following a clever free-kick routine.
After the break, Clarke raced away to pull one back, as Ashley Nadesan and Macauley Bonne missed great chances to level the scoring.
Woodrow’s terrific volley restored Luton’s two-goal lead after 66 minutes, before Nichols’ header led to a nervy finale, Jonny Williams denied an equaliser by Tim Krul in stoppage time.
Gills boss Neil Harris said: “I’m really proud of the group, that was a fantastic second half against a Premier League side and to put them under pressure shows the character and personality as at 2-0 down after 35 minutes, teams may have crumbled against this level of opposition, but we didn’t.
“We regrouped at half-time and had a right go second half.
“I’m disappointed with the first goal, the second goal is a worldie, Premier League standard from Alfie, and the third one is against the run of play, again Premier League standard.
“To get back it at 2-1, 3-2, having pressure at the end, we just didn’t have that next goal in us.
“We could have scored but they’re the margins that you need when you go against the top sides.”
Andoni Iraola hailed acting captain David Brooks for the role he played in Bournemouth’s 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Swansea as the Spaniard celebrated his first victory as Cherries boss.
Brooks slotted home a second-half equaliser to cancel out Matt Grimes opener at the Swansea.Com Stadium as the Wales international celebrated his first competitive goal for over two years, and first since returning from cancer treatment.
“He was the captain today, and it’s good that he scored. Like the others, he was much better second half,” said Iraola.
“He’s trying to push himself and fight for a starting place. It is good to have this kind of competition.”
A first goal for the club since his £25mmillion summer transfer from Hamed Traore then gave the Cherries the lead before Jamie Paterson tied matters up again in the 79th minute.
Just as it looked as though the second-round tie would go to penalties, Ryan Christie rounded off a sweeping move in the first of eight added minutes to clinch victory for the Premier League visitors.
“It was a game with two different halves. We started very badly and we were slow to move the ball,” said Iraola.
“The second half was different and we were much quicker, and we moved higher up the pitch. But this is the cup and sometimes you have to suffer.
“The attitude and willingness to attack the space in the second half was much better. We were more aware of the situations, and after half-time, the game was more open.”
Iraola gave a first start of the season to Wales striker Kieffer Moore before substituting him at half-time.
Moore remains a transfer target for his old club Cardiff, but Iraola says he is happy to keep him in his squad.
“The situation is the same, it depends on whom leaves the club, but the market can go until the last day,” he added.
“We are happy with Kieffer as he gives us different options. Right now, this is the situation, but it can change from one hour to another.”
While Iraola had something to celebrate, it was another defeat for new Swansea boss Michael Duff.
He said: “You don’t want to lose any game, but it would have been nice to have gone through. Ultimately, they still had to bring their big guns on to see us off.
“The strength of their bench shows the gaps have got big again. The gulf between the leagues is now as big as it was 15 years ago.
“There are loads of positives. We were really good for 25 minutes and then we defended well, too. There were other parts that were not so good and it’s about stitching the good parts together for 90 minutes.”
Duff was delighted to see Paterson claim his goal, saying “He’s never had blistering pace, but he’s a jinker, has good feet and has real quality”, and admitted goalkeeper Steven Benda is on the verge of joining Premier League side Fulham.
“It’s a deal that suits the player and the club. We know we need a few people in, but if we don’t, we don’t – we’ll just crack on,” added Duff.
The old adage "sharing is caring" is something that many Jamaicans truly abide by and embodies.
Bert Tomlinson, Founder and CEO of Bert’s Auto Parts is no different and so he felt it only fitting that they demonstrate good corporate social responsibility with one simple act of kindness that has now created an endless ripple.
From assisting to build a house for former national football star Miguel Blair in 2021, to launching the Bert’s Auto Parts Foundation which presents grants and scholarships to outstanding PEP students, Tomlinson's philanthropic efforts, much like his business, is now soaring to new heights.
Through his latest initiative, a 5K Run, Bert’s Auto Parts Foundation is intent on raising funds to benefit the Food for the Poor Housing Project. The Run scheduled for October 1 at Emancipation Park, is seeking to raise approximately US$49,000 (about $8 million Jamaica) to build 10 houses.
Under the theme “Build with Bert’s” Waynette Strachan, marketing manager at Bert’s Auto Parts, explained that the inaugural 5K represents a committed effort to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families in need.
"We saw the profound impact of one mission that we did with Food for the Poor and so we thought to ourselves that while we establish our foundation in our 35th year, we want to multiply that impact to help families in need through Food for the Poor houses,” Strachan told journalists during a launch at their Molynes Road base on Tuesday.
“So, people would know us for auto parts and our celebrating 35 years is possible because of the support of our customers and so it's our way of giving back to Jamaica. It is because of the support of our customers why Bert's is where it is at today and so we feel like it's only right that we serve our country through our corporate philanthropic effort which you are seeing now. So, we have always been doing this, we just didn't highlight it and so what you are seeing now is merely press being added to what we are doing.
“We intend to spread the love across Jamaica, we don't have any locations for the houses as yet, but our able partner Food for the Poor will assist because we want to ensure that it benefits those who need it the most,” she added.
Despite building over 36,000 houses for Jamaicans in need over the years, Food for the Poor’s Executive Director, Craig Moss-Solomon said there is always room for much more, which is why he welcomes Bert’s effort to add another 10 to the count.
The event is targeting a at least 3,000 participants. Registration is open at Runningeventsja.com and the fee is $2,000.
“When Bert’s came back and said they want to do a 5K to raise money for 10 houses, it's 10 lives that we will be able to change and make their living conditions more comfortable. That is what we plan to do, change lives, so I am really happy that we are teaming up with Bert on this and we hope Jamaica will come out and support because it is for a great cause,” Moss-Solomon reasoned.
“I believe they will hit the target of 10, but I would be more than humble if it surpasses the 10 houses, I would love for that to happen. So, our message to Jamaica is just to come out and support and help us build back the love for Jamaica and build with Bert's,” he noted.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank paid tribute to debutant goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe after his two spot-kick saves ensured the Bees edged past Newport 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade.
Mathias Jensen thought he had won the Carabao Cup tie for the visitors in the 88th minute but teenage substitute Kiban Rai headed home deep into stoppage time for the hosts to take the game to spot-kicks.
Adam Lewis then hit a post with Newport’s first effort, before Balcombe saved from Nathan Wood and Bryn Morris, and Keane Lewis-Potter settled the contest in the Premier League side’s favour.
“Our debut goalkeeper made fantastic saves in the shoot-out,” said Frank.
“He’s been at the club since he was eight years old and it’s a fantastic story for him to make a debut like this with his family watching in the stadium.
“We want to go far in the cup competitions, and you need to get the job done. We did that in the end.”
Frank praised League Two County for their dogged display.
“It’s all about getting through,” added the Dane, who was forced into bringing on Jensen, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa after an hour.
“Of course, we’d have loved to come here and win 3-0 but it’s never easy.
“I had to bring on three more experienced guys. It’s always a balance. You want to play some of the ones who don’t play so much. With all due respect, that should be enough to win the game. But we just made it right in the end.
“Big credit to Newport, I think they defended very well. They put a lot of effort into it and made it very difficult for us.
“I could definitely see why they have created upsets in the past, and they’ve had a decent start to the season with three wins in the first five. I see them having a very good season.”
Exiles manager Graham Coughlan had mixed emotions after a fantastic effort from his players.
Midfielder Harry Charsley typified their performance, heading off the line to deny Lewis-Potter early on before heading just wide at the other end from an Omar Bogle cross.
“I am proud of the lads. They will get all of the plaudits and pats on backs they deserve but, at the end of the day, you want to win football matches,” he said.
“We were very good but that didn’t get us through to the next round and we want to be winners and to be successful.
“We had probably the best chance of the game with Harry Charsley stealing into the six-yard box.
“When you play the big boys, you need those moments and slices of luck.”
Manager Nigel Clough praised Mansfield’s “absolutely outstanding” second-half display after they beat Sheffield Wednesday 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough in the Carabao Cup.
Rhys Oates produced a superb equaliser with five minutes left after Anthony Musaba headed the Owls in front in the first half.
Goalkeeper Christy Pym then saved spot-kicks from Will Vaulks and Liam Palmer in the shoot-out as Mansfield progressed.
Clough said: “I thought in the second half we were absolutely outstanding. It was just whether we could get the goal or not.
“What a goal it was in the end, with 32 passes leading up to it and a magnificent run and finish.
“It’s not a fluke, it’s not a one-off, we’ve played like that in most of the six games, which is why we’re unbeaten.
“I didn’t think we took advantage of the positions we got into in the first half but we just needed that one piece of brilliance, which came in the second half.
“I thought that on the second-half performance, it was deserved.
“We seemed to grow in confidence as the game went on. I thought he (Christy Pym) played very well.”
Wednesday manager Xisco Munoz was left to rue his team’s failure to capitalise on the chances they created.
He said: “I’m a little bit disappointed about the game. We need to change our attitude in some moments of the game.
“We shoot 20/25 times and you have clear chances and you don’t score. This is football.
“We will have a moment for reflection and we have to think how we will change the situation.
“It is impossible to lose the game. My job is to try and put the guys in the box and today they are in the box. We need to improve in the last third, of course.
“They shoot, I think, three, four or five times and they score. We shoot 25 – it’s five times more.
“We are the team of the Championship and they are a team of League Two. Sometimes it’s difficult in this situation.”
Sutton manager Matt Gray is hoping for a money-spinning EFL Cup tie after Aiden O’Brien gave the League Two side a shock 1-0 win at Wycombe.
The Shrewsbury loanee netted his first goal for the Yellows midway through the first half and the visitors held on to reach the third round for the first time in the club’s history.
Following four straight defeats since their dramatic penalty shootout win over Cambridge in the previous round, Sutton were on the back foot early in the first half.
But O’Brien’s cool finish swung the momentum of the game and proved enough to put United in the hat alongside the Premier League’s top eight.
“We’re on a nice little run now, with two League One opposition beaten,” said Gray. “We’re obviously not going to win the competition, but you want a big tie, a big money-maker to help my budget. Simple as that.”
And Gray was delighted with how his side handled higher-league opposition, who came closest when Luke Leahy struck the post in the second half.
Gray said: “We’re really pleased with the first-half performance with our threat on the counter-attack. The second half we really dug in and it was a solid defensive performance.
“We rode our luck at times but we deserved the clean sheet and to go through in the end.”
Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield was left rueing missed opportunities after seeing his team enjoy the majority of possession and territory.
“I think we controlled the game,” said Bloomfield. “We had 18 shots, an xG of 2.58, hit the post, near misses, that pretty much sums up the game.
“Then you give Sutton something to hold on to and they defended for their lives but we’ve created more than enough chances to win the game.”
Andy Murray won his 200th grand slam match with a three-set victory over fiery Frenchman Corentin Moutet at the US Open.
The two-time Wimbledon champion, a winner here in 2012, overcame an unorthodox and awkward opponent 6-2 7-5 6-3 to become the eighth male player in the Open era to reach the double-century.
It may have been a straight-sets win but, typically with Murray, there was plenty of drama and even a VAR controversy, the first of its kind at Flushing Meadows.
Murray, who came into the event having recovered from an abdominal tear, dominated the first set but a flat passage of play saw him fall a break down in the second as Moutet, all slices and drop shots, began to impose himself.
However, Murray had a let-off when Moutet double-faulted on set point, and then a lucky net cord helped the Scot break back.
Murray was back in full irritant mode and it got to Moutet, who smashed his racket on the floor, twice, as the second set got away from him.
Moutet suffered a nasty fall on the baseline, landing on his racket hand, but was able to continue and saved four break points in his next service game.
But Murray struck at the next opportunity and served out for victory – following a video replay check for a double-bounce which, embarrassingly for organisers who introduced it this year, proved inconclusive – in just under three hours.
“He’s one of the most skilful players on the tour, with so many ways to disrupt you, and he always causes a little bit of chaos,” said the 36-year-old.
“I hope it was entertaining, there were some fun points, so I’m happy to get through in straight sets.
“It was a long one, but the way we play it was probably always going to be like that. Three hours is a lot shorter than some of my matches!”
Crewe boss Lee Bell was quick to disregard his side’s penalty misery after being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by local rivals Port Vale.
The visitors missed all four penalties as they crashed out in the second round with a 2-0 shoot-out defeat after a goalless draw in normal time at Vale Park.
Elliott Nevitt blasted over, Rio Adebisi hit the bar and Joel Tabiner missed from 12 yards while Chris Long saw his penalty saved by Connor Ripley.
Bell admitted: “It’s a real kick in the teeth to go out on penalties.
“Penalties are a bit of a lottery and tonight just wasn’t our night.
“The fans were fantastic and it’s just a shame we couldn’t get a goal for them.
“I’m so proud of the players and there’s so much to draw on. The players need to get over this quickly.
“It was important I delivered the message that I feel is right. We’re going in the right direction and we’re a transformed team compared to last year.
“I know what it means to the area this game, regardless that it’s a cup game and a stand is shut.
“I told the players that whatever happens tonight they needed to be clapped off this pitch and they did that.”
Vale got the bragging rights in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Thomas Sang failed with Vale’s third spot-kick after James Wilson and Oliver Arblaster had scored the first two.
Boss Andy Crosby said: “These games are never easy.
“It goes to show that you get the rewards when you prepare properly and we’ve been taking penalties on the training ground for the last week.
“We’ve gone through a lot of detail in case it went to penalties and when you do that there’s less luck involved.
“We changed ends for the home supporters and thank you to the fans because I thought the atmosphere was great. The fans helped us get over the line.”
Stoke manager Alex Neil was delighted with his new recruits as full debutants Wouter Burger and Mehdi Leris got on the scoresheet in a 6-1 Carabao Cup thrashing of Rotherham.
The second-round win extends the Potters’ perfect home record to four matches in all competitions this season – a run that started with a 4-1 victory over the Millers on the opening day of the new Championship campaign.
Burger, signed from FC Basel, opened the scoring early on, while Leris, brought in from Sampdoria, completed the rout in the 72nd minute.
“I think it’s important that obviously we try and maintain our home form, which has been good, and it’s nice to score a lot of goals,” Neil said.
“It’s nice to get a lot of new fellas on the pitch as well.
“We’re still in that transitional period where we’re getting boys in and trying to get them on the pitch.
“But we scored some great goals.
“I think to start it, Wout getting his first goal, sort of set us on our way.”
Stoke took a second-minute lead when Burger drove home from distance after picking up Cameron Humphreys’ headed clearance.
Summer signing Ryan Mmaee doubled the home side’s advantage in the 18th minute, bending the ball from Leris’ pull back.
Rotherham skipper Sean Morrison’s header swiftly halved the deficit, but Stoke restored their two-goal lead just before the half-hour mark as captain Josh Laurent arrowed a shot into the bottom corner.
The advantage was further increased as half-time approached, with Tyrese Campbell curling the ball in off the crossbar.
Any slender hopes the visitors had of staging a comeback were dashed in the 55th minute, when Laurent latched onto Campbell’s headed pass and rifled the ball into the net for his second goal, and Leris made it 6-1 with a fine finish 18 minutes from time.
Rotherham boss Matt Taylor, who made six changes to the team that started the 2-1 defeat to Leicester on Saturday, had no arguments with the final scoreline.
“Regardless of the personnel we had on that pitch, I think some of the players can perform better than they did,” he said.
“We knew what Stoke were going to come with because we faced it three weeks ago in the first game of the season, and we still couldn’t match their speed and intensity.”
David Wagner was bursting with pride after seeing his much-changed Norwich team reach the Carabao Cup third round with a deserved success at Bristol City.
The winner came on 49 minutes when Przemyslaw Placheta accepted a pass from Sam McCallum inside the box and turned to fire a right-footed shot just inside the far post.
It was enough to edge a fast, open game in favour of a Canaries team featuring nine changes.
Wagner said: “I am over the moon and very proud. We picked a young side and they have produced a very mature performance.
“We were not as clinical as against Huddersfield, but it was a great win against a very good Bristol side.
“What we showed was that whoever starts and whoever comes on as a sub, everyone knows his job and there is a togetherness about the group.
“We have a good and reliable squad, even if it is not high on numbers. I won’t rule out anything before the transfer window closes, but if we go with the current players I am up for the fight.”
Bristol City lacked a cutting edge to capitalise on some promising approach play.
Boss Nigel Pearson said: “It was about key moments again. There was a situation where Anis Mehmeti could have set up Nahki Wells for a tap-in and we have to do better in those situations.
“Ephraim Yeboah goes and looks dangerous, but we squander chances to give him the ball. That is poor decision-making.
“I expect more from all the players in terms of the winning mentality we need. We came up a bit short tonight against a very good team.”
Norwich created the better chances, Max O’Leary saving brilliantly from Adam Idah in the first half and Liam Gibbs striking the crossbar just before Placheta broke the deadlock.
Manager Michael Carrick praised Middlesbrough’s “spirit and togetherness” after stoppage-time goals from substitutes Riley McGree and Morgan Rogers sealed a 3-1 Carabao Cup comeback win at Bolton.
Dion Charles celebrated his new contract extension by giving the League One outfit a 23rd-minute lead.
Matt Crooks equalised 10 minutes later but it took Boro until the first minute of stoppage time to grab a deserved lead and avoid a penalty shootout.
Three minutes later Rogers netted his first goal since a summer move from Manchester City to seal only a second win of the campaign for the Teessiders.
“I am delighted for the players and delighted for the supporters,” said Carrick of his side’s second-half domination.
“Even if we hadn’t got that goal at the end everyone could see how well the boys had played.
“It summed up how we have started the season with things not dropping for us. But the boys stuck at it, kept believing and found a way.
“It looked like only a matter of time and so it proved to be. It shows the spirit and togetherness in the group which considering results doesn’t always prove the case.”
Wanderers boss Ian Evatt, whose side are now without a win in three, insisted: “I thought we were the better team in the first half.
“We had good control for large spells. They scored slightly against the run of play.
“In the second half what happens when you don’t manage the ball, you are out of possession for long periods.
“A bit like we do to teams in our own division eventually you get fatigued.
“Against the best teams you get picked off. There are lots of positives to be taken and lots of lessons to be learned.”
Andy Murray has become the eighth man to register 200 grand slam victories in the Open era.
The 36-year-old reached the milestone following his latest win over France’s Corentin Moutet in the US Open first round.
Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at Murray’s career record at tennis’s biggest tournaments.
Elite club
Murray has joined an illustrious list by reaching 200 grand slam wins, headed by his three main career rivals in Roger Federer (369), Novak Djokovic (355) and Rafael Nadal (314).
That trio are more than 80 wins clear of anyone else, with Jimmy Connors in fourth (233), ahead of Andre Agassi (224) and Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl (222).
The Scot is just three wins behind Pete Sampras (203) in seventh and will move above the 14-time major champion with a run to the quarter-finals at the US Open.
Tim Henman is his closest challenger among British players, with 98 grand slam victories.
Home comforts
Murray has been most successful on the grass courts of Wimbledon, with 61 wins out of 74 matches yielding two titles.
He has consistently risen to the occasion on home soil, reaching 10 successive SW19 quarter-finals between 2008 and 2017, and has often spoken about how he enjoys the support of the crowd.
However, the 36-year-old also thrives when playing the role of pantomime villain and has a remarkable record of 18 victories from 19 matches against homegrown players in the Australian, French and US Opens.
Overall, he has 49 victories in New York – the scene of his first major triumph in 2012 – to go with 51 in Melbourne (where he is a five-time runner-up) and 39 at Roland Garros.
Near misses
Murray’s career record at grand slams suggests that he should have more than three titles to his name.
He has a winning record at each stage of major tournaments apart from the final, where he has won three and lost eight of his 11 matches.
Murray has had the privilege and misfortune of playing in a golden era of men’s tennis, with all but one of his finals having been played against Federer or Djokovic.
In total, he has won five and lost 20 of his grand slam meetings with the ‘Big Three’, with eight defeats coming against Djokovic, seven versus Nadal and five at the hands of Federer.
This compares with 195 wins and 34 losses against his remaining 137 opponents.
Stan Wawrinka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Fernando Verdasco and Roberto Bautista Agut are the only other players to have beaten Murray more than once at grand slam level.
The Scot’s best record is against Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who he has faced five times without defeat.
Injury nightmare
Murray would almost certainly have passed 250 grand slam wins had it not been for a career threatening hip injury.
Shortly after turning 30, Murray – ranked number one in the world at the time – lost to Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon 2017 and proceeded to sit out the next four grand slams while recovering from surgery.
He had won at least 12 grand slam matches every year in the previous decade, but has managed only 12 in total since the start of 2018.
By comparison, Djokovic – who is just a week younger than Murray – has won 118 matches and lifted 11 titles in the same period.
Despite injury curtailing his prime years, the Scot has continued to show his indomitable fighting spirit.
Eight of his 23 major matches since 2018 have gone to five sets, with Murray emerging victorious on five of those occasions.
Two of his deciding-set wins came back-to-back at this year’s Australian Open, when he followed up a four-hour 49-minute victory over Matteo Berrettini with a staggering comeback from two sets down against Thanasi Kokkinakis in a match that finished at 4am local time.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
