Andy Murray says he produced one of his best serving performances after easing into the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The three-time Grand Slam champion dropped only five games during his 6-3, 6-2, win over former top 10 player David Goffin. Murray won 85% of his first service points and didn’t face a single break point during the match. The victory is only his third win on the Tour this season but it is the third tournament in a row that he has won at least one match.
“That’s the best I’ve served here,” Said Murray who now leads Goffin 8-0 in their head-to-head. “I’ve always struggled serving certainly the last 10 years or so when I’ve been here for whatever reason. Today felt much better.”
This year Murray is making his 16th appearance in Indian Wells with his debut occurring back in 2006. Now at the age of 36, the Brit has faced numerous questions about his future in the sport and how much longer he might continue playing. He has previously said that it is likely that he will not continue playing beyond this summer.
“I would like to play for another 10, 15 years, but it’s not easy with the body,” he commented.
“To keep up with these young guys now is extremely difficult but while I’m still out here I’ll compete as best as I can and hopefully put on more performances like that.”
Awaiting Murray in the second round will be Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev who received a bye in the first round. It will be the third Tour-level meeting between the two and their first since 2021. Their head-to-head is currently even at 1-1.
Nadal pulls out
Embed from Getty ImagesOn the same day the main draw action got underway, Rafael Nadal’s anticipated return to Indian Wells was cancelled after the 22-time Grand Slam champion withdrew due to not being ready to compete. The Spaniard was scheduled to play Milos Raonic in his opening match on Thursday. He hasn’t played a Tour-level match since the first week of January after suffering a minor muscle tear in his hip region. However, last Sunday he did play in an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Los Vegas which he lost in three close sets.
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament at Indian Wells,” Nadal wrote in a statement posted on social media. “Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here. That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready.”
Nadal, who is currently ranked outside the world’s top 600, has only been able to play two tournaments over the past 14 months due to injury issues. His next event is scheduled to be in Miami which will get underway later this month.
“I have been working hard and practising and you all know I took a test this weekend but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event,” he continued. “It is not an easy decision, it’s a tough one as a matter of fact but I can’t lie to myself and lie to the thousands of fans.
“I will miss you all and I am sure the tournament will be a great success.”
Nadal has been replaced in the draw by India’s Sumit Nagal.
