Andy Murray arrange a gathering with fellow Briton Cameron Norrie with a gutsy win over fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka within the Cincinnati Open.
Former world primary Murray, 35, gained 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 7-5 within the first-round match towards his 37-year-old rival.
The victory retains alive world quantity 47 Murray’s hopes of being seeded on the US Open, which begins on 29 August.
Now the Scot will play Norrie after the British primary gained 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 towards Denmark’s Holger Rune.
Veterans present their struggle in absorbing contest
Murray and Wawrinka had been the 2 gamers who most usually challenged the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on the high of the boys’s sport within the 2010s, main to 3 Grand Slam triumphs apiece and lengthy stretches contained in the world’s high 5.
However each have suffered with a listing of accidents in latest seasons, every combating again from them of their twilight years to point out their love for the game has not diminished.
So it was becoming their struggle and willpower was evident once more in an enthralling battle, lasting virtually three hours and seeing each battle bodily, in Cincinnati.
Three break factors weren’t taken by Wawrinka within the opening set and that maintain proved essential as Murray performed beautifully within the tie-break to steer.
Wawrinka solely returned to the tour in April after 13 months out with a foot damage and wanted remedy on the identical leg – taking a medical time-out for a rubdown of his left calf – as he led 2-1 within the second set.
However he confirmed no important harm and ultimately broke for 5-3 to serve for the set.
Wawrinka’s focus dropped as Murray – who had not earned any break factors till then – put the set again on serve with out having to use an excessive amount of stress.
The set grew to become scrappy and Murray was damaged for the second time at 6-5 as Wawrinka compelled a decider.
Murray was damaged within the second sport and struggled with cramp, however managed to interrupt straight again after which obtained remedy himself on the changeover.
With each males persevering with to want consideration from the physios, the set continued on serve till Murray broke for 5-4 with a rasping return which left him serving for the match.
A tense sport noticed Murray unable to take any of three match factors – together with after being docked a primary serve on the third for a second time violation – earlier than taking the fourth with an enormous serve down the center which Wawrinka couldn’t return.
‘It is not been simple’
Murray mentioned his physique was feeling the perfect it had “in a extremely very long time” however urged his sport had room for enchancment.
“I would really like my tennis to be higher at instances, as a result of I am nonetheless satisfied that it may be higher than the place it’s proper now,” he mentioned.
“It is not been simple these previous couple of years to remain match and wholesome and play sufficient tennis.
“Proper now, I am having to play and compete to attempt to preserve rating and hopefully get seeded within the occasions, get into extra tournaments, not must depend on wildcards.”
Seeking to his match towards Norrie, Murray mentioned: “He’s very totally different to how Stan performs, being a lefty.
“Flat on the backhand, heavy topspin on the forehand. Now we have spent somewhat little bit of time on the court docket collectively, so there will not be many surprises on the market for me.”
Norrie stays affected person to earn first Cincinnati win
British primary Norrie earned the primary main-draw victory of his profession at Cincinnati with a affected person win over proficient teenager Rune.
Norrie, ranked eleventh on the planet, misplaced serve for 4-2 within the opening set however immediately broke again to take the momentum away from his 19-year-old opponent.
Neither may earn one other break level and Norrie clinched the tie-break when Rune ended a tense rally by hitting lengthy.
Frustration spilled over for the Dane as he hammered two balls out of the stadium, additionally clubbing the online together with his racquet, earlier than going for a bathroom break to settle down.
The second of reflection helped as Rune broke within the first sport of the second set and, after the pair exchanged breaks in consecutive video games for 4-4 and 5-4, he ensured the match could be settled by a decider.
Once more there have been consecutive breaks of serve halfway via the set earlier than Norrie secured victory when Rune produced a double fault on the second match level.
