Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray continued his tune-up for the Australian Open Tuesday, defeating Norway’s Viktor Durasovic 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round at the Sydney Tennis Classic.
It was the first win in three years in Australia for Murray, who has battled hip injuries in recent years. The 34-year-old Brit lost to Facundo Bagnis last week in Melbourne in his season opener. A five-time Australian Open finalist, Murray received a wild-card entry into the Grand Slam event.
American Maxime Cressy continued his strong start to 2022 with a 6-3, 7-5 defeat of Adrian Mannarino of France. Cressy lost to Rafael Nadal on Sunday in the final of the Melbourne Summer Set.
Other winners included No. 6 seed Dusan Lajovic and fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, American Denis Kudla and Spaniard Pedro Martinez.
Adelaide International 2
Soonwoo Kwon of South Korea battled back from match point to oust No. 5 seed Lloyd Harris of South Africa 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in Adelaide, Australia.
In other action, No. 8 seed Marton Fucsovics of Hungary topped Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands 6-3, 7-6 (4) in one hour, 53 minutes. Next up for him is French qualifier Corentin Moutet, who fended off seven of eight break points in his 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany.
Australian wild card Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated Benoit Paire of France 6-4, 6-0 in 70 minutes, losing just two service points along the way, and next will meet No. 2 seed John Isner. Italian Gianluca Mager beat Egor Gerasimov of Belarus 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 and will face No. 3 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia in the next round.
–Field Level Media