After an injury that almost ended his career, Andy Murray came back to do what he does best: win. Things have been improving gradually for him, but he obviously still isn’t where he wants to be and is eyeing even better performances.
Last week, he exited the San Diego open after a tough show against a top ten, and like other times, he wasn’t going to let that sway his resolve.
In his first Indian Wells Tennis Garden competition in four years, Murray did what he hasn’t done since his return from injury; beat someone in the top 100.
Before the game, Murray held a total 2-0 head-to-head advantage over his opponent, Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, two times, including one in the 2015 Indian Wells competition.
Unexpectedly, Murray bettered his 2015 results (6-3, 6-3) by beating the Frenchman in another two straight sets of 6-3, 6-2 on Friday for his first win over a top-a hundred opponent since his return.
Murray, who has obviously been working harder by the day, admitted that he fought for each point and it hasn’t been easy. “It’s been a tough road to get back…But I fought for every single point,” said the former world No. 1.
The three-time grand slam champion didn’t allow his opponent any breakpoints in the game that lasted close to one and a half hours, thereby securing a showdown against 18-year old 2021 US Open quarter-finalist Carlos Alcaraz in the next round. If Murray wins, it will be another victory against a top 100 competitor.
