Three-time Canadian Open champion Andy Murray beat Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 in two hours and eight minutes in windy conditions to reach the second round at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers in Toronto.
Last February Murray saved three match points before beating Sonego in two and a half hours in Doha. This time the British player was in control of the match.
Both players made a lot of unforced errors in the first set. Sonego committed 30 unforced errors, while Murray made 15.
Murray saved two set points at 5-4 down before the first set went to the tie-break. Sonego won the first two points of the tie-break, but Murray came back by winning the next six points and sealed the tie-break on the second set point.
Murray won a hard-fought first game of the second set. The two-time Olympic champion earned a break after a backhand lob went into the tramlines. Murray consoiidated the lead before earning a double break.
Murray brought up a match point on his serve when Sonego hit a crosscourt forehand wide. Murray sealed the win when Sonego hit a backhand into the net.
“It was not pleasant to play in. It was really blustery. The wind changed direction during the point. We knew coming in it was going to feel uncomfortable. We hit on this court and it was really breezy. I was expecting it but it still adds a bit of stress to the match and it was a really tight first set. There were a lot of opportunities each way, I managed to sneak through the first tie-break and after that he was obviously a bit disappointed, and I relaxed a little bit”, said Murray.
Murray set up a second round match against Felix Auger Aliassime.
