Andy Murray secures hard-fought win over Frances Tiafoe in first ATP Tour appearance since November

Andy Murray off the mark in 2020 as former world No 1 secures hard-fought win over Frances Tiafoe on his first ATP Tour appearance since November ahead of the US Open

  • Andy Murray battled to a 7-6, 3-6, 6-1 win against American ace Frances Tiafoe
  • Murray therefore secured a last-32 date with Alexander Zverev with the victory
  • He was playing in his 100th Masters 1000 event at the Western & Southern Open
  • The tournament is serving as a warm-up event for players ahead of the US Open  

Andy Murray battled his way to a hard-fought win over Frances Tiafoe on his first ATP Tour appearance since November.

Murray, competing in his 100th Masters 1000 event at the Western & Southern Open, overcame American wildcard Tiafoe 7-6, 3-6, 6-1.

The New York tournament is serving as a warm-up event for players ahead of the US Open, which begins on August 31.

Andy Murray battled his way to a hard-fought 7-6, 3-6, 6-1 win over American Frances Tiafoe

Andy Murray battled his way to a hard-fought 7-6, 3-6, 6-1 win over American Frances Tiafoe

The Scot beat the American wildcard on his first ATP Tour appearance since November

The Scot beat the American wildcard on his first ATP Tour appearance since November

And Murray had a sound work-out after being hit by hip problems before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sport.

The first set went with serve and the three-time Grand Slam winner had to save a break point in the 11th game.

Tiafoe was then on top in the tie-break, leading 5-2 before Murray fought back to level. Murray saved a set-point at 5-6 and won the next two points to strike an advantage.

Murray secured a last-32 date with Alexander Zverev with the victory on Saturday evening

Murray secured a last-32 date with Alexander Zverev with the victory on Saturday evening

The second set followed a similar tight pattern until Tiafoe broke to make it 5-3 and served out to level the match.

But it proved a false dawn for the American as Murray called on all his renowned resilience.

The Scot dominated the third set and completed his win in two hours and 28 minutes to secure a last-32 date with Alexander Zverev.

source: dailymail.co.uk