Great Britain’s tennis legend Andy Murray defeated Argentine player Federico Delbonis in the first round of the Miami Open on Friday to set up a meeting with top seed Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Miami Open.
The Scot, ranked 85th in the world, won 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 against Delbonis.
The 34-year-old, and a two-time winner, will play Russian Medvedev, who lost the world number one ranking on Monday.
“It was difficult for me, especially in the first set,” Murray said post-match. “It was a really tight first set, but I did well in the end.”
“Both of us served very well in the first set,” Murray added. “I just managed to catch a really good return there at 5/4 in the tie-break, a really deep return and managed to get that point. He double faulted on the set point and that was the key to the match right there.”
Medvedev spent three weeks at number one and must reach the semi-finals in Miami to again replace Serb Novak Djokovic at the top of the men’s game.
Murray won four consecutive points to edge an even opening set in a tie-break at Hard Rock Stadium – but he made lighter work of the second set, breaking the Delbonis serve for 1-0 and 4-1 leads before another sealed the victory.
Players from Russia and Belarus are not allowed to compete under their own flag but at present they can compete as individuals.
