FILE PHOTO: Oct 12, 2021; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Andy Murray (GBR) hits a shot against Alexander Zverev (GER) during a third round match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
November 10, 2021
(Reuters) – Andy Murray expects a tough challenge against Italian top seed Jannik Sinner in the second round of the Stockholm Open, the former world number one said after his straight-sets victory in his opening match on Tuesday.
Murray, who had hip surgeries in 2018 and 2019 and is currently ranked 143rd, defeated qualifier Viktor Durasovic 6-1 7-6(7) at the ATP 250 event.
The three-time Grand Slam champion will face Sinner for the first time on Wednesday, with the world number 10 chasing his fifth title of the year.
Sinner missed qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals after losing to Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the Paris Masters.
“Sinner has had a fantastic season … He was very unlucky to not make the Final Eight (at the ATP Finals) in Turin,” Murray said in his on-court interview.
“I think he’s won four or five tournaments this year and he loves playing indoors on hard court. It will be a big test for me and I’m sure it will be a good one.”
Murray reached the third round at Wimbledon this year and suffered a first-round exit at the U.S. Open. He has not won a single’s title since his 2019 triumph in Antwerp.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
