Andy Murray sets up all-British clash with Cameron Norrie after edging past Stan Wawrinka
- Planet Sport writer
- 16 August 2022
Andy Murray survived a thrilling encounter with long-time rival Stan Wawrinka to progress to the second round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
The Scot took the opening set in a tiebreak as momentum swung freely between the two veterans.
However, the second set went the way of Wawrinka as Murray tightened up with muscle cramps.
The 35-year-old then showed a lot of courage and toughness in the decider, battling back from an early break to claim victory 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-4.
Murray acknowledged the physicality of the match in his on-court interview.
Wearing his heart on his sleeve ❤️@andy_murray @CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/2p0VQsRF4X
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 15, 2022
"The court is pretty lively when the weather is like this. Physically I feel tired," he said.
"I had some issues with cramp during the match, the same as Washington, so that is something I need to get on top of.
"I tried to take the ball on a little more and finish points at the net. I wasn't that successful when I came up, but the intention was there. I was a little more offensive on the second-serve return. Last game I was just fighting, trying to find a way through."
The win sets up a second-round clash with Englishman Cameron Norrie, who was tested by Dane Holger Rune in their opening clash.
The world number 11's path to victory mirrored Murray's as he ultimately overcame his teenage opponent 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-4.
Murray and Norrie are set to square off just a day after both men were named in Great Britain's Davis Cup team for the group stage of the competition in Glasgow next month.
Murray will play in the competition for the first time since 2019 having missed the most recent edition last November, when Britain lost to Germany in the quarter-finals.
Other winners in Cincinnati on the day included Denis Shapalov, who defeated Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (4) 6-3, and Frances Tiafoe, who battled past Matteo Barrettini 6-7 (3) 6-4 7-6 (5) in a contest that lasted just under three hours.
The likes of World No 1 Daniil Medvedev, World No 2 Rafael Nadal and Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios are all due in action from Tuesday onwards after receiving byes into the second round.
