MIAMI: Andy Murray persevered through a battle with an ailing Matteo Berrettini, clinching victory 4-6 6-3 6-4 on Wednesday to advance to the second round of the Miami Open. His quest in this tournament mirrors his season’s challenge: securing back-to-back wins, a feat he has yet to accomplish. Despite a rocky start with initial losses in his first four tournaments, including the Australian Open, the three-time Grand Slam champion has recently found his footing, progressing to the second round in his last four events, albeit unable to progress further each time.
This triumph marks another milestone in the illustrious career of the 36-year-old Scotsman. Murray now joins the ranks of the event’s most successful players, becoming the third active participant to notch 30 victories, trailing only Novak Djokovic (44) and Rafa Nadal (40).
Reflecting on his performance, Murray acknowledged the significance of the win, leaving a playful note for posterity by inscribing ‘Life in the old dog yet :)’ on a courtside TV camera lens. Despite a sluggish start against a formidable Berrettini, Murray found his stride from the middle of the first set onwards, asserting his prowess and securing the hard-fought victory.
The match’s dynamic shifted dramatically in the second set, with Murray seizing control as Berrettini faltered, ultimately surging ahead 5-2.
