STOCKHOLM (NWN) — Andy Murray defeated Norwegian qualifier Viktor Durasovic 6-1, 7-6 (7) on Tuesday to set up a second-round match with top seed Janik Sinner at the Stockholm Open.
The three-time Grand Slam champion cruised through the first set, but was almost pushed for a decider by 354th-ranked Durasovic.
The 34-year-old Briton, who lost seven match points to Dominic Koefer Last week at the Paris Masters, saved a set point before closing it in on his third match point.
“He hits the ball from the back of the court,” Murray said of the 24-year-old Norwegian. “If he plays like this, he will keep going up the rankings. I was happy to win in the end because he was playing really well at the end of the match.”
The 10th-ranked sinner, who is chasing his fifth title this year, awaits on Wednesday. The 20-year-old Italian missed out on qualifying for the ATP Finals.
“He’s had a great year,” Murray said. “He loves to play indoors on hardcourts, so this will be a big test for me.”
Fifth seed Taylor Fritz defeated Egor Gerasimov 6-4, 6-4 and will next face doubles partner Tommy Paul. Fritz had defeated his fellow American in the final in St. Petersburg two weeks earlier.
Spain’s Pedro Martínez will take on eighth seed Frances Tiafo after defeating Emil Rusuvuori 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) in the second round. Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp, who reached the semi-finals in St Petersburg, defeated Nino Serdarusic 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to next face seventh seed Marten Fuskovics of Hungary.
Arthur Rinderknecht advanced when sixth seed Alexander Bublik retired with an apparent injury. The Frenchman was ahead 6-1, 2-0.
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