Andy Murray has set up a blockbuster second-round meeting with No.5 seed Alexander Zverev after beating Frances Tiafoe on the first day of main-draw action at the Western & Southern Open.
It was the first day of ATP main-draw action since the men's tour halted in March because of COVID-19.
Murray, a former world No.1 and three-time major champion, saved two set points in the first set to beat fellow wildcard Tiafoe 7-6(6) 3-6 6-1.
"I thought I moved well today. That was probably the thing I was most happy with and probably the thing I was most apprehensive about going into the match," Murray said.
"I thought I moved pretty well. My tennis could have been better. I did some things well at the end, but I could definitely improve in terms of my game."
It marked Murray’s first competitive match in 2020, with the Brit skipping the first two months of the season due to a pelvic injury stemming from his hip resurfacing surgery in early 2019.
Also progressing to the Western & Southern Open second round was another former world No.1 in Victoria Azarenka, who swatted aside Donna Vekic in straight sets.
Azarenka’s 6-2 6-3 win over the 15th seed – helped by 21 winners over 14 unforced errors – marked her first match win in 12 months, and sets up a meeting with either Sloane Stephens or Caroline Garcia.
"I served a lot better today. I feel like I was consistent with putting a lot of pressure. I felt that my movement was solid today, as well,” said Azarenka, who last week lost in straight sets to Venus Williams in her opening match in Lexington.
“Last year was a different story for me personally. I think the biggest difference is like I really enjoy myself on the court, which haven't happened in such a long time."
Murray and Azarenka were among several players progressing on Day 1 of the tournament, which has relocated from its usual home in Cincinnati to Flushing Meadows in New York, where the US Open will follow on 31 August.
The first men’s winner of the day was 15th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who eased to a 6-4 6-1 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Former Wimbledon and US Open finalist Kevin Anderson, playing with a protected ranking, overcame Kyle Edmund in three sets.
Anderson, ranked as high as No.5 but currently outside the top 100 following knee surgery, will next face fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.
Another Greek player, No.13 seed Maria Sakkari, stopped fast-rising Coco Gauff, beating the 16-year-old American 6-1 6-3.
Ekaterina Alexandrova scored an upset 7-5 7-6(6) win over ninth seed Elena Rybakina, a player who had built an astonishing 21-4 record in early 2020 before COVID-19 stopped the sport in its tracks for five months.
Rybakina: "It was difficult time, b/c I was at home in Moscow, and I didn't hold my racquet for 2.5 months. I couldn't even chance to go out of the apartment. I was stuck at home and I just couldn't do anything.”
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 22, 2020
Has been able to practice full for 6 weeks in Bratislava.