Taro Daniel news: ‘I had goosebumps,’ says Japanese star after stunning win over Andy Murray
World No 120 Taro Daniel has praised his match temperament and strength after he progressed to the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday.
The 28-year-old shocked the world when he sent former world No 1 Andy Murray packing from Melbourne with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
One to remember 🙌
🇯🇵 @tarodaniel93 defeats Andy Murray 6-4 6-4 6-4 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
🎥: @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis #AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/zcJf1J0m38
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022
The Japan international started his hard-court major campaign on a high with a win over Marcelo Barrios Vera while Murray beat Nikoloz Basillashvili in five sets.
After his brilliant victory over three-time Grand Slam winner Murray, Danil explained how things went down.
“It’s amazing. Winning a match like this, here, with a lot of people, especially after Covid – it’s unbelievable. It’s an amazing level for me,” he said.
“I was cramping a little bit at the start of the third set but I tried not to make such a big deal out of the match. It’s important, but it’s not important.
“I was trying to feel the energy within my body – I had goosebumps a couple of times during the match, amazing.”
Daniel has also praised Murray’s mental toughness and comeback that gives him strength after sustaining a major hip surgery.
“It’s always crazy to imagine what a person who’s gone through that heavy of an injury has to go through mentally; how much are you going to keep damaging your body? That’s the question I’ve asked myself,” Daniel told Eurosport.
“But it’s amazing because you can see how much passion he has for the game and how and how much he’s willing to go through to just keep playing. And he doesn’t seem to care if he’s not top 10 or top 100 or whatever.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic announces shock departure of long-term coach – ‘Thanks for everything my friend’
Did anyone see that Novak Djokovic coaching bombshell coming?